Research Associate in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing services

Generous annual leave

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for a 3-year post-doctoral research associate position as part of the REMOVE-UM project. You will join an interdisciplinary team to explore the valorisation of multi-material waste using LCA and TEA approaches, integrating environmental, economic and social considerations.

The role includes supervising PhD and undergraduate students, providing technical guidance, and helping run the research group within the School of Engineering’s Chemical

Qualifications

• Expertise in life cycle thinking and life cycle assessment (LCA).
• Experience with techno-economic analysis (TEA) and sustainability assessment.
• Ability to work across economics, environment and social dimensions in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Assess opportunities for valorisation of waste streams.
• Lead TEA and LCA analyses to inform project decisions.
• Mentor PhD and undergraduate researchers and support group activities.

Skills

Life cycle thinking

LCA

TEA

Economic analysis

Interdisciplinary work

Mentoring

Research coordination

Job description

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.

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 be able to provide individual feedback on your application.

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.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Rosa Cuellar Franca

Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries:

Email: [e-mail]

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

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

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.