University of Bath
Research Associate
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Research Associate
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated researcher, with an interest in working at the interface of chemistry and reactor design & development. The vision of this project is taking a promising new reactor technology, the Spinning Mesh Disc Reactor (SMDR) from the lab into industry to enable commercialisation of resource efficient chemistry to align with the UK NetZero 2050.
This project will harness the advantages of the SMDR to develop three case studies to scale-up resource efficient chemistry demonstrating:
- (i) enzyme catalysis,
- (ii) photochemical synthesis, and
- (iii) plastic recycling.
Enzymes, due to their selectivity, show promise to synthesise complex chemicals at ambient conditions, including pharmaceuticals. Visible light allows for the direct conversion of solar energy into chemical energy as it removes the need to use photovoltaic devices to generate electricity for use in heating in chemical synthesis. Thirdly, catalytic breakdown of plastics into their constituent monomers can be reused to develop products, with properties that match those of virgin polymer.
The PDRA will work closely with other researchers from the department of Chemistry, the Institute for Mathematical Innovation and at the University of Nottingham. There is also an industrial advisory board to provide a commercial perspective.
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in a relevant subject area.
- Extensive lab experience, preferably with catalytic reaction systems.
- Prior experience or a demonstrable interest in working at the interface of chemistry and chemical engineering and a willingness to learn.
- Good organisational and presentation skills.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
Further Information
This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours) fixed term basis with an expected end date of 30 September 2027.
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Part time working and/or some degree of flexible working may be possible and if interested in applying on this basis, you should make this clear on your application form.
For informal questions about the role, please contact Dr Emma Emanuelsson at eaep20@bath.ac.uk.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. An accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you
Benefits
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
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Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us on X and LinkedIn.
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We’re Committed To Creating a Health-supporting Working Environment Where Everyone Can Thrive And Be At Their Best. We Offer a Range Of Resources To Enable You To Do That From Your First Day Here, Including
- Staff support groups and networks
- A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
- A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive
Find out more about being at your best at Bath.
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Further Details
Job Description & Person Specification
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.
Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
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