Postdoctoral Research Associate in Blockchain and AI for sustainable CO2-to-Products

DURHAM UNIVERSITY; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Great British Chemicals Hub, focusing on developing blockchain and AI technologies for CO2 management. The role includes designing blockchain solutions and integrating them with AI for improved monitoring of chemical processes. Flexible and remote working options are available. Immediate start following an interview scheduled for October 20, 2025.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in designing blockchain architectures and smart contracts.
• Proven ability to integrate systems using AI for monitoring and analytics.
• Familiarity with CO2 tracking and sustainable practices.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the GBC Hub by developing digital technologies.
• Design and implement blockchain solutions for CO2 credit tracking.
• Collaborate with the project lead and wider team to achieve project goals.

Skills

Blockchain technologies

Artificial Intelligence

Sustainable chemistry

Digital twins

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Organisation/Company DURHAM UNIVERSITY Research Field Computer science Economics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 9 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Role

The postholder will contribute to the UKRI-funded Great British Chemicals (GBC) Hub, a seven-year national programme bringing together 10 UK universities, industry partners, and policymakers to accelerate the transformation of the UK chemical sector towards net to zero.

The PDRA will develop and apply digital technologies at the intersection of blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable chemistry. In particular, the role will involve: (i) designing blockchain architectures and smart contracts for CO2 credit tracking, tokenisation of CO2 derived products; (ii) integrating blockchain systems into AI-driven monitoring, predictive analytics, and digital twins (virtual models of CO2 conversion processes that mirror real-world performance) to support real-time optimisation.

The position will evolve over time with strict deadlines. The postholder will closely work with Dr. Arz Karam (Project Lead) and collaborators across the hub, contributing to the advancement of the project and helping to deliver the GBC Hub's ambition to create blockchain- and AI-enabled CO2 -to-products markets.

The postholder will join a research project led by Dr. Arz Karam. The role is designed to support and advance the GBC objectives, with the expectation that the postholder will contribute their own expertise, ideas and initiative while working closely with the project lead and the wider team.

The successful applicant will ideally be in post as soon as possible following the interview, which is scheduled to take place on 20 October 2025.

The role is primarily based at Durham University Business School / Department of Finance, but flexible and remote working arrangements can be discussed with the Project Lead to support the needs of both the project and the postholder.