Research Associate in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability

UK Energy Research Centre; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing services

Generous annual leave

Christmas closure

Discounts at major retailers

Job summary

The University of Manchester in Manchester invites applications for a Research Associate in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability. The post is part of the REMOVE-UM project, focusing on recycling multi-materials and applying techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment to support sustainable valorisation strategies.

The role will include assessing waste valorisation opportunities, supervising PhD and undergraduate students, and supporting daily group operations to maintain a

Qualifications

• Experience in life cycle thinking, TEA and LCA.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams across departments.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess opportunities for valorisation of waste streams and strategies to maximise value.
• Support day-to-day running of the sustainability research group; provide mentorship and supervision.
• Contribute to research activities and foster collaboration within the team.

Skills

Life cycle thinking

Techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Economic sustainability assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Job description

Research Associate in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability

The University of Manchester– Science and Engineering – Department of Chemical Engineering

Location:

Location: Manchester

Salary: £37,694 to £42,254 per annum, dependent on relevant experience (Grade 6)

Hours:

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type:

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:

Placed On: 7th September 2026

Closes:

Closes: 23rd September 2026

Job Ref:

Job Ref: SAE-031177

About the role:

This 3-year post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) position will form part of an interdisciplinary EPSRC-funded research project to advance the UKs capabilities to recycle currently hard to recycle products. The Recovering Molecular Value from Unrecycled Multi-materials (REMOVE-UM) project addresses the challenge of recovering value from complex multi-material products for which limited viable recycling methods currently exist, and which are often incinerated for energy recovery or consigned to landfill. The research program integrates economic, environmental, and societal measures to inform decision-making throughout. It encompasses the analysis of end-of-life material flows, the chemical valorisation of materials using a range of techniques and the development of advanced separation technologies to efficiently recover value. Due to the inherent complexity of this challenge an interdisciplinary team of researchers is being assembled to collaborate on developing sustainable, economically viable solutions for multi-material, plastic-containing waste.

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and collaborative post-doctoral research associate with expertise in life cycle thinking, economic and environmental sustainability assessment including techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), to join our multidisciplinary research team and become part of Dr. Cuéllar-Franca’s sustainability research group. The post-holder will play a key role in assessing opportunities for the valorisation of waste streams and assessing valorisation strategies being developed throughout the project to maximize economic potential and minimize environmental impact. In addition to research responsibilities, the post-holder will support the day-to-day running of the group, offering technical guidance, mentorship, and supervision to PhD and undergraduate students when required. This includes assisting with research activities, fostering collaboration within the group, and contributing to a dynamic and productive research environment.

The project is based across the Departments of Materials and Chemical Engineering with this role being based in the School of Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering. The team is necessarily interdisciplinary, with polymer scientists working with economists, social scientists and life-cycle experts to co-create robust solutions to managing plastic from creation to end-of-life. Collaborators from across the university bring expertise in social science, life cycle assessment, chemical depolymerisation, biomedical materials science, recycling and systems to support the project.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers, and much more.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.