Senior Research Fellow (Chemical Engineering)

Women's Engineering Society; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford invites applications for a full-time Senior Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering from January 2027. This permanent academic post is based at Begbroke Science Park and offers the opportunity to lead innovative research aligned with the energy transition and decarbonisation priorities.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Chemical Engineering or a cognate field, demonstrate teaching ability for IChemE accredited courses,

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or cognate discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Professional experience and IChemE membership desirable.
• Ability to teach IChemE accredited course at undergraduate and master's levels.

Responsibilities

• Teach the IChemE Accredited Chemical Engineering Course at Undergraduate and Master’s level.
• Lead a research group, set objectives and manage team.
• Conduct original research in decarbonisation, sustainability and energy storage.
• Contribute to development of syllabus and course delivery with sustainability focus.

Skills

Teaching & lecturing

Research leadership

Project supervision

Sustainability

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering or cognate

Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering

IChemE membership desirable

Job description

Senior Research Fellow (Chemical Engineering)

Permanent

Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford

Description:

The Department of Engineering Science intends to appoint a full time Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in Chemical Engineering, from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is a permanent academic post, based at Begbroke Science Park (OX5 1PF). There is a procedure to apply for title of Associate Professor (under the MPLS Procedure for Conferment of Title) and to apply for the title of Full Professor in due course.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct original research in Chemical Engineering, augmenting the Department’s existing strengths with novel and complementary research activity. This appointment will strengthen research activity in decarbonisation, sustainability, and the energy transition, with particular focus on energy conversion and storage, positioning Engineering Science at the forefront of these critical areas in alignment with the University’s strategic priorities.

They will hold an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering or in a closely related field, as well as a doctorate in Chemical Engineering or a cognate discipline (such as Materials Science, Environmental Engineering or Chemistry). Professional experience and membership of professional bodies (such as IChemE or equivalent) is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach the IChemE Accredited Chemical Engineering Course within the Department at Undergraduate and Master’s level. This includes lecturing, tutoring and class-based teaching, examining, and leading laboratory practicals, as well as supervising research and/or design projects. Postgraduate teaching primarily involves research supervision of students pursuing MSc or DPhil degrees. It is expected that the successful candidate will help to plan, organise, and expand specific areas of the Chemical Engineering syllabus, contributing to the ongoing development of our IChemE accredited course. We particularly welcome applicants with experience in chemical engineering teaching delivery, especially where this integrates insight from sustainability.

The successful candidates will report to the Head of Department and act as the leader of their research group, setting clear task objectives, developing productive working relations and line-managing the members of the team. They contribute to their development through induction, appraisal, and coaching.

The job reference is: DF26SRFCh/VACANCY ID. Please quote this in all correspondence. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Monday 12 October 2026. Initial online interviews are expected to take place in November with in person interviews for shortlisted candidates in January.

For those invited to in-person interview, the department can provide accommodation and will cover reasonable travel expenses and reasonable additional caring costs incurred as a result of attending the interview (within agreed policy limits).