Research Associate

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated researcher, with an interest in working at the interface of chemistry and reactor design & development. The vision of this project is taking a promising new reactor technology, the Spinning Mesh Disc Reactor (SMDR) from the lab into industry to enable commercialisation of resource efficient chemistry to align with the UK NetZero 2050. 

This project will harness the advantages of the SMDR to develop three case studies to scale-up resource efficient chemistry demonstrating: (i) enzyme catalysis, (ii) photochemical synthesis and (iii) plastic recycling. Enzymes, due to their selectivity, show promise to synthesise complex chemicals at ambient conditions, including pharmaceuticals. Visible light allow for the direct conversion of solar energy into chemical energy as it removes the need to use photovoltaic devices to generate electricity for use in heating in chemical synthesis. Thirdly, catalytic breakdown of plastics into their constituent monomers can be reused to develop products, with properties that match those of virgin polymer. 

The PDRA will work closely with other researchers from the department of Chemistry, the Institute for Mathematical Innovation and at the University of Nottingham. There is also an industrial advisory board to provide a commercial perspective.

About you

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in a relevant subject area.
• Extensive lab experience, preferably with catalytic reaction systems.
• Prior experience or a demonstrable interest in working at the interface of chemistry and chemical engineering and a willingness to learn.
• Good organisational and presentation skills

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

Further Information 

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours) fixed term basis with an expected end date of 30 September 2027. 

Part time working and/or some degree of flexible working may be possible and if interested in applying on this basis, you should make this clear on your application form.

For informal questions about the role, please contact Dr Emma Emanuelsson at eaep20@bath.ac.uk.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

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