Research Associate in CO₂ Mineralisation and Process Scale-Up (Ureaka) (854608)

University of Strathclyde; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Strathclyde invites applications for a Research Associate to advance a project converting cementitious wastes into low-carbon materials, from lab validation to pilot scale and spinout readiness, based in Glasgow.

You will lead experimental strategy, develop process design and equipment specifications, collaborate with the founder and partners, and contribute to IP and funding efforts. The appointment is full-time, 12 months, on-site.

Qualifications

• Chemical or process engineer with strong fundamentals and hands-on lab or pilot experience.
• Able to work with imperfect information and troubleshoot experimental setups.
• Sound safety judgement and ownership of outcomes in uncertain R&D.
• CO/CCUS, gas handling, separation or recovery experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead development and de-risking; shape experimental strategy and scale-up decisions.
• Develop leaching, carbonation/mineralisation, gas handling and solid-liquid separation.
• Create and interpret mass and energy balances; contribute to P&IDs and equipment specs.

Skills

Chemical engineering

Process engineering

Laboratory/pilot experience

Safety judgement

Problem solving

Education

PhD in chemical engineering

Near PhD completion

Job description

FTE: 1.0

Contract type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Closing Date: 26/10/2026

Cement is among the hardest industrial systems to decarbonise, while large volumes of construction and mineral waste remain underused. Ureaka is developing a route to convert these materials into low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials while capturing and permanently mineralising CO. We are recruiting a Research Associate to progress the process from laboratory validation towards an integrated pilot and spinout readiness.

Based in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Ureaka is an award-winning University of Strathclyde pre-spinout with laboratory validation, industrial engagement, funding and a defined scale-up programme. Its work bridges chemical and process engineering, CO mineralisation, mineral processing and low-carbon construction materials.

This is a high-ownership postdoctoral opportunity. Working closely with Ureaka's founder and academic team, you will colead development and de-risking, shaping experimental strategy, process design, equipment, scale-up decisions and the wider technical roadmap.

This role will suit someone who is comfortable working with imperfect information, moving between experimental design and hands‑on problem‑solving, and personally building, modifying and troubleshooting equipment. You will need to be resourceful, pragmatic and willing to take responsibility for technical outcomes, rather than simply deliver a predefined research work package.

You will develop leaching, carbonation/mineralisation, gas handling, solid-liquid separation and reagent recovery; establish mass and energy balances; interpret uncertain data; contribute to process‑flow diagrams, P&IDs and equipment specifications; and procure, commission and troubleshoot equipment. The objective is a safe, evidence‑based integrated pilot.

You will collaborate with the founder, researchers, PhD students, industrial partners, suppliers and specialist advisers; coordinate material characterisation and cementitious testing; provide technical direction; and communicate with technical and commercial audiences.

You will also contribute to technical strategy, milestones, IP, commercial validation, funding and company formation. The appointment is full‑time for 12 months and on‑site at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, with an intended start as soon as possible following completion of recruitment and preemployment checks.

We seek a chemical or process engineer, or closely related candidate, with strong fundamentals and hands‑on laboratory or pilot experience, including multiphase systems. You should demonstrate sound safety judgement and ownership in uncertain R&D. CO/CCUS, gas handling, separation or recovery, industrial R&D or startup, and cement, minerals or waste experience are desirable, not essential.

You will join Ureaka's founding technical team. Subject to spinout timing, funding, performance and an appropriate recruitment process, you may have the opportunity to continue in a senior technical role within the company; future employment is not guaranteed.

Whilst a Post‑Doctoral Research Associate is ideally sought for this position, applications from candidates who are close to PhD completion or whose award is pending are welcome. In such circumstances, the appointment will be made at Research Assistant level (grade 6) and duties will be adjusted to reflect the grade of the post. This will continue until the PhD award is confirmed, at which point the duties and grade will be revised accordingly.

Applicants may use tools such as AI to support their application; however, all submissions must accurately reflect their own experience and understanding. The University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of application materials and may reject applications where concerns arise.

Initial interviews have been scheduled for Thursday 5th November 2026.

For informal enquiries, please contact Philip Salter, Research Associate at [e-mail].