Senior Research Fellow (Chemical Engineering) Closing date: Oct 12, 2026

University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science; Oxford; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Travel expenses covered

Interview travel costs covered

Job summary

Engineering Science at the University of Oxford invites applications for a Senior Research Fellow in Chemical Engineering. The post focuses on decarbonisation, sustainability and energy storage, combining original research with IChemE-accredited teaching at undergraduate and master’s level.

Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and a doctorate in Chemical Engineering or a cognate field.

Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to conduct original research in chemical engineering.
• Experience or potential to contribute to decarbonisation, sustainability and energy transition research.
• Experience delivering IChemE-accredited teaching at undergraduate and master’s level.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in Chemical Engineering, strengthening decarbonisation, sustainability and energy transition themes.
• Teach the IChemE Accredited Chemical Engineering Course at Undergraduate and Master’s level, including lecturing and supervising lab sessions.
• Lead a research group, set objectives, manage staff, and contribute to curriculum development and assessment.

Skills

Teaching delivery

Research leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree in chemical engineering or related field

Doctorate in Chemical Engineering or cognate discipline

Job description

United Kingdom

ENGINEERING SCIENCE

Careers

Senior Research Fellow (Chemical Engineering)

Salary: £56,623 to £65,336 with a discretionary range to £73,296 per annum

Closing date: Oct 12, 2026 12:00PM

Location: Begbroke Science Park (OX5 1PF)

Contract type: full time Senior Research Fellow (SRF), permanent academic post

Benefits: 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).

Responsibilities: 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. 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.

Qualifications: The successful candidate 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.

Equality and diversity: Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of family friendly policies.

For queries about the post that are not answered in the job description please contact Professor Zhanfeng Cui on [e-mail].

Contact name: Professor Zhanfeng Cui

Contact email: [e-mail]