Research Associate

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

Job summary

The University of Surrey is seeking a researcher to join the Energy and Materials group in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The project will upscale inorganic catalysts for producing light hydrocarbons from CO2 on a fixed-term contract ending March 2027.

Responsibilities include synthesis, characterisation, catalytic testing of exsolved copper-based catalysts, result analysis, and contributing to LCA/TEA studies and potential IP/publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science.
• Direct research experience in synthesis of inorganic catalysts and characterisation.
• Prior experience in catalytic testing.

Responsibilities

• Synthesis, advanced characterisation and catalytic testing of exsolved copper-based catalysts.
• Perform critical analysis of results and report to supervisors with regular updates.
• Preliminary LCA and TEA.
• Assist in production of IP and high-impact papers for the team and the University of Surrey.

Skills

Catalyst synthesis

Characterisation

Catalytic testing

Inorganic catalysis

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Material Science

Job description

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.

The role

Become a research team member in the Energy and Materials group in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The project’s focus is to help upscale inorganic catalysts for the production of light hydrocarbons from CO2. (this is a fixed term contract up to March 2027).

This project is funded by HEIF and Innovate Surrey. In this role, you will:

• Synthesis, advanced characterisation and catalytic testing of exsolved copper based catalysts.
• Perform critical analysis of the results and report to supervisors regular updates
• Preliminary LCA and TEA
• Assist in the production of intellectual property and/or high-impact papers for the benefit of both team members and the University of Surrey.

Essential

About you

• A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science.
• Direct research experience in synthesis of inorganic catalysts and characterisation.
• Prior experience in Catalytic testing