Research Associate in Mechanical Recycling Processes

Full-time, fixed-term for 24 months.

This role is not suitable for remote working and is office / laboratory based only. It is essential that the post holder has the ability and willingness to travel to national and international partners and undertake occasional short visits to project partners.

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.

About the University
Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better.

About the role
This 24-month fixed-term post contributes to ReSurface, a major EPSRC and Defra-funded project addressing synthetic sports turf recycling. You will be based in the Wolfson School's Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART), collaborating closely with the Sports Technology Institute and Department of Materials in a highly interdisciplinary, industry-facing environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise lab-scale mechanical recycling processes for end-of-life synthetic sports turf.
• Plan and run experiments to evaluate process efficiency, separation performance, energy use and material yields.
• Work with industry partners to align outcomes with scale-up requirements.
• Provide process data to support lifecycle and system-level modelling.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings to academic and industry audiences.

About you
An ideal candidate should have the following skills:

• Experience in the mechanical design of lab-scale equipment.
• Experience in experimental research related to mechanical recycling and lifecycle analysis.
• Knowledge of mechanical recycling processes related to polymer-based products.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, and a track record of publishing.
• Willingness to engage with industry partners and travel.

Why should you Apply?
With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Shahin Rahimifard (S.Rahimifard@lboro.ac.uk).

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Application Process
For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact Professor Shahin Rahimifard. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: 16 November 2026.

Interview Date: week commencing 23 November 2026.

Our Benefits
We’re committed to creating an environment where you can flourish. You’ll enjoy generous time off, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, plus a holiday purchase scheme. Other benefits include flexible and hybrid working options, family-friendly support, world-class sporting facilities, and a wide range of financial, health, and sustainability perks. Discover more about our full range of rewards and benefits.

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