Research Assistant for ESRC IAA Project

European Commission; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

This position for a Research Assistant at a UK-based university involves supporting a strategic research project on ochre waste conversion for wastewater treatment. You will analyze supply chain dynamics, logistics, and environmental impacts, contributing to project goals within a multidisciplinary team. This fixed-term position offers a unique opportunity to engage in impactful research within the environmental sector, ensuring regulatory compliance and commercial feasibility.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating supplier relationships, market effects, logistics dependencies, and long-term resource availability.
• Developing an optimised supply chain model, including supplier roles, sourcing locations, and material flow strategies.
• Optimising transportation, storage, and processing efficiency by integrating inventory management, material handling, and reverse logistics strategies.
• Evaluating suitable contract mechanisms for commercial adoption.
• Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the ochre recovery process and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations (e.g. heavy metal limits).

Job description

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Organisation/Company DURHAM UNIVERSITY Research Field Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 4 Aug 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

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant (RA) to support the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) research project titled "Ochre-Based Phosphate Removal in Wastewater Treatment: A Feasibility Study on Supply Chain, Economic, and Environmental Impacts."

This project will evaluate the economic and environmental feasibility of converting ochre waste into iron salts for phosphate removal in wastewater treatment. You will investigate supply chain ramifications and dynamics, logistics optimisation, economic viability, and environmental impacts to ensure commercial sustainability and regulatory compliance. Your tasks will include:

• Evaluating supplier relationships, market effects, logistics dependencies, and long-term resource availability.
• Developing an optimised supply chain model, including supplier roles, sourcing locations, and material flow strategies.
• Optimising transportation, storage, and processing efficiency by integrating inventory management, material handling, and reverse logistics strategies.
• Evaluating suitable contract mechanisms for commercial adoption.
• Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the ochre recovery process and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations (e.g. heavy metal limits).

The successful applicant will work alongside the project PI, Dr Nail Tahirov, Prof. Atanu Chaudhuri, and Mr. Chris Jones from project partner Northumbrian Water Ltd, as well as Prof. H. Chris Greenwell, and Prof Gavin J. Bridge.

This RA role is funded by the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) Fund. This post is fixed term for 6 months and may not be extendible for a further length of time.