Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Process Engineering (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Chemical Process Engineering, under Prof. Erwin Reisner in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.

The PDRA will develop a large-scale photoreforming process to upcycle plastic waste using solar energy and oversee the assembly of a continuous-flow platform for kg-scale demonstrations. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in Chemical or Process Engineering with a strong reactor operations

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical or process engineering or closely related discipline.
• Strong background in chemical reaction engineering and reactor operations.
• Experience in waste recycling, solar technologies, H2 technology, or continuous-flow processing desirable.
• Proven publication record and academic excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop a large-scale photoreforming process for solar energy upcycling of plastic waste.
• Oversee assembly of a continuous-flow process platform to demonstrate commercial feasibility at kg scale under real sunlight.
• Design practical-scale continuous-flow solar reactors and collaborate with materials experts in photocatalysis.
• Publish results in top-tier journals and contribute to IP generation to support project goals.

Skills

PhD in Chemical or Process Engineering

Continuous-flow processing

Photoreforming

Waste recycling

Solar technologies

Publication track record

Education

PhD in Chemical or Process Engineering

Job description

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a two-year Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position in Chemical Process Engineering under the supervision of Prof Erwin Reisner within the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

The Reisner Laboratory develops innovations and technologies to convert solar energy and renewable electricity into sustainable fuels and organic platform chemicals for a circular economy using a unique cross-disciplinary approach and collaborations are strongly encouraged.

The PDRA will develop a large-scale process for photoreforming chemistry, which uses solar energy to upcycle plastic waste into fuels and valuable chemicals. The PDRA will oversee the assembly of the continuous flow process platform to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of this solar chemical technology at a kg plastic and metre square scale under real sunlight irradiation.

The PDRA will design practical-scale continuous-flow solar reactors, considering various chemical engineering parameters, and will work together with a material expert in high-performance photocatalyst synthesis in a highly collaborative setting. The PDRA will thus complement existing expertise in the Reisner laboratory and bring a strong skill set and expertise especially in chemical and process engineering. The outcome of this project is expected to be published in top tier academic journals and generate novel IP to support the commercial aspirations of this project.

More information about the laboratory and project can be found here:

• Website Reisner Laboratory: https://www-reisner.ch.cam.ac.uk/


• Publication on square metre batch photoreforming reactor: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-026-00406-y


• Review solar reforming technology: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-023-00567-x

This PDRA position will be funded by Prof Reisner's Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies.

The PDRA should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in Chemical or Process Engineering or a closely related discipline. A strong background in chemical reaction engineering and chemical reactor operations would be essential. Additionally, experience in waste recycling, solar technologies, H2 technology, and/or continuous-flow processing would be desirable for the position. The candidate should also have a strong publication track record and have demonstrated outstanding performance throughout their studies and engineering career.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact [e-mail]

Please quote reference MA50433 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.