Research Fellow in Digital Reaction Engineering

TN United Kingdom; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Fellow in Digital Reaction Engineering to contribute to innovative projects at one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. This role focuses on developing automated platforms for reaction screening and process optimisation, leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and integrating cutting-edge technologies. Collaborating with top-tier universities and industry partners, you will play a crucial role in enhancing sustainable manufacturing processes for future medicines. If you are passionate about research and eager to tackle complex challenges in chemical engineering, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing automated reactor platforms for reaction screening.
• Strong background in machine learning algorithms for process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated flow platforms for reaction screening and process optimisation.
• Integrate machine learning algorithms for reaction optimisation and mapping.

Skills

Reaction Engineering

Machine Learning

Liquid Handling Robotics

Continuous Flow Technology

Analytical Techniques

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Flow Reactor Technologies

Data Analysis Software

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Research Fellow in Digital Reaction Engineering, Leeds

Client: University of Leeds

Location: Leeds, United Kingdom

Job Category: -

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: 42056a4c2a3e

Job Views: 6

Posted: 05.05.2025

Expiry Date: 19.06.2025

Job Description:

Research Fellow in Digital Reaction Engineering

Are you an experienced and ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities? Are you interested in applying your skills in reaction engineering to develop new automated reactor platforms for reaction screening and process optimisation?

Development of synthesis and optimisation of reactions remains a key challenge in pharmaceutical process development, often relying on resource-intensive trial-and-error approaches that are costly, time-consuming, and wasteful. There is a need to develop new digital methods capable of rapidly responding to emerging health challenges.

This EPSRC funded project involves collaboration between the Universities of Leeds (Dr Adam Clayton, Prof. Richard Bourne), Liverpool (Prof. Anna Slater), and Cambridge (Prof. Alexei Lapkin) to create a network of digitally coupled reactors capable of high-throughput screening and self-optimising manufacturing processes. This will involve combining different flow reactor technologies, analytical techniques, and automated workflows to enhance chemical space mapping and generate robust datasets.

Modular experimental platforms will be designed to explore complex mixed variable design spaces efficiently on the microlitre scale. The multisite reactor network will be driven by advanced machine learning algorithms that leverage prior experimental data to increase synthesis success rates and accelerate process development. Collaboration with industry partners will help leverage this workflow to enable lower-cost, sustainable manufacturing of future medicines.

At Leeds, we seek a Research Fellow in Digital Reaction Engineering to develop automated flow platforms for reaction screening and process optimisation. Responsibilities include integrating liquid handling robotics, continuous flow technology, and inline analytical techniques to enable rapid data collection. The role also involves integrating machine learning algorithms for reaction optimisation and mapping the design space, contributing to the multisite reactor network, and applying these technologies to pharmaceutically relevant case studies.