Research Associate in Mechanical Recycling Processes

Loughborough University; Loughborough; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Facilities on campus

Pension schemes

Hybrid working options

Health and wellbeing

Job summary

Loughborough University is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to the ReSurface project within the Wolfson School’s SMART centre in a fixed-term role based in Loughborough. The post involves designing and optimizing lab-scale mechanical recycling processes for synthetic sports turf, with travel to partners as needed.

The role requires strong experimental skills, experience with lifecycle analysis, and a track record of publishing.

Qualifications

• Experience in lab-scale equipment design.
• Experience in experimental research related to mechanical recycling and lifecycle analysis.
• Knowledge of mechanical recycling processes related to polymer-based products.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, and a track record of publishing.
• Willingness to engage with industry partners and travel.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise lab-scale mechanical recycling processes for end-of-life synthetic sports turf.
• Plan and run experiments to evaluate process efficiency, separation performance, energy use and material yields.
• Work with industry partners to align outcomes with scale-up requirements.
• Provide process data to support lifecycle and system-level modelling.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings to academic and industry audiences.

Skills

Lab-scale design

Experimental research

Mechanical recycling

Lifecycle analysis

Publish and present

Travel willingness

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title Research Associate in Mechanical Recycling Processes Job reference REQ260739 Date posted 09/10/2026 Application closing date 16/11/2026 Location Loughborough Package Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 6 from £35,608 to £41,064 per annum. Subject to annual pay award. Job description

Full Time, Fixed Term for 24 months

This role is not suitable for remote working and is office / laboratory based only. It is essential that the post holder has the ability and willingness to travel to national and international partners and undertake occasional short visits to project partners.

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.

About the University

Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselvesin the pursuit of better.

About the role

This 24-month fixed-term post contributes to ReSurface, a major EPSRC and Defra-funded project addressing synthetic sports turf recycling. You will be based in the Wolfson School's Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART), collaborating closely with the Sports Technology Institute and Department of Materials in a highly interdisciplinary, industry-facing environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise lab-scale mechanical recycling processes for end-of-life synthetic sports turf.
• Plan and run experiments to evaluate process efficiency, separation performance, energy use and material yields.
• Work with industry partners to align outcomes with scale-up requirements.
• Provide process data to support lifecycle and system-level modelling.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings to academic and industry audiences.

About you

An ideal candidate should have the following skills:

• Experience in the mechanical design of lab-scale equipment.
• Experience in experimental research related to mechanical recycling and lifecycle analysis.
• Knowledge of mechanical recycling processes related to polymer-based products.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, and a track record of publishing.
• Willingness to engage with industry partners and travel.

Why should you Apply?

With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Shahin Rahimifard ( [e-mail] )

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification .

Application Process

For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance , which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact Professor Shahin Rahimifard. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: 16 November 2026

Interview Date: week commencing 23 November 2026

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.