Research Associate (KK12690)

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Bath seeks a Research Associate for the TREFCO project, focusing on thermal recycling methods for adhesives. The role involves leading research, collaborating with a diverse team, and contributing to innovative recycling solutions. Candidates should hold a PhD and have experience in relevant fields.

Benefits

Free counselling services

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Staff discount at Team Bath gym

Generous annual leave allowance

Relocation allowance

Visa reimbursement

Qualifications

• Experience in materials recovery and advanced thermal processing.
• Ability to manage installation and validation of specialist laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on thermal methods impacting adhesives for recycling.
• Benchmark processes against commercial debondable adhesives.
• Develop heat transfer models based on adhesive characteristics.

Skills

Research

Communication

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Physics

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Materials Engineering

Tools

SEM

XRD

XPS

Job description

About The Role

The Department of Mechanical Engineering are seeking to appoint a Research Associate within the TREFCO project.

This position is an EPSRC funded collaboration led by University of Bath and has 8 industrial partners, including battery manufacturers, recyclers, material suppliers and equipment producers. The focus of this is to investigate thermal recycling methods for functional coatings and develop wavelength sensitive adhesives which will ‘unglue’ when subject to certain types of radiation.

• This specific role is to lead research into impacts of different thermal methods on degrading adhesives to aid recycling.
• While experience with adhesives is not necessary, this role would suit someone with a good track record in research from a Physics / Chemistry or Mechanical/Chemical/Materials Engineering background.
• This role will integrate into a team that bridges across all the subjects listed above and the research focus can be directed (within reason) based on the successful applicant’s background. Applicants would work on either item 5a or 5b dependent on their skill set.
  
  

Key Aspects Of The Role Include

• To undertake research into the potential of NIR radiation and intense pulsed light (IPL) as methods to degrade commercial adhesives to aid debonding within a recycling process.
• To benchmark processes against other commercial ‘debondable adhesives’
• To adjust commercial adhesives formulation to include absorbing particles to enhance energy adsorption at specific wavelengths. Assessing impacts to bond strength by the incorporation of particles.
• Manage the validation of a new Near Infra red (NIR) machine in Bath –
  
  

5a. Materials characterisation (microscopy/XPS/DSC) to understand chemical impact of thermal processing.

5b. Develop a heat transfer model based on processing and materials absorption characteristics of the adhesives to aid further research.

About You

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

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

• will hold a PhD in the area of Physics / Chemistry or Mechanical/Chemical/Materials Engineering.
• will have experience in at least one of the following areas: materials recovery, advanced thermal processing, mechanical testing - particularly of bond strengths, materials characterisation (SEM/ XRD and XPS).
• be a self started and able to pick up new concepts quickly.
• have good communications skills and have experience of collaborating between different institutions.
• This role will integrate into a team that bridges across all the subjects listed above and the research focus can be directed (within reason) based on the successful applicant’s background. Applicants would work on either item 5a or 5b dependent on their skill set.
• have experience of managing the installation and validation of specialist laboratory equipment.
  
  

Further information

This position is offered on a full-time (36.5 hours), fixed term basis for a duration of 8 months.

For informal discussions please contact Rick Lupton [e-mail] and Alfred Hill [e-mail].

What we can offer you

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, so we 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 are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
  
  

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on X for more information.

Closing Date: 06 Jun 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413