Research Fellow - School of Chemical Engineering - 103325 - Grade 7

Full Job Description

Position Details

School of Chemical Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £37,099

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to June 2027

Closing date: 20th March 2024

Background

The School of Chemical Engineering is a multi-disciplinary and vibrant environment for outstanding study and research. In the Research Excellence Framework (2021) the School of Chemical Engineering received a ranking in the top 10 of the sector by grade point average and 4-star research. We have a research income in excess of £10 million per year through a balanced portfolio of grants from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Union and Industry.

This specific role is to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a funded EPSRC grant ‘Catalytic Microwave Process for Upgrading of Pyrolysis Liquids from Ubiquitous Plastic Wastes’. The project aims to develop a novel upgrading process for the conversion of waste plastic pyrolysis oils from a range of sources to valuable chemical feedstocks and demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility of scaling-up. 

The Research Fellow will be responsible for carrying out the preparation and characterisation of novel catalysts manufactured from waste materials, testing them in a flow reactor, characterisation of liquid products and formulating models of kinetics and techno-economics to evaluate the scalability and profitability of these technologies industrially.

Role Summary

• Work within a specified research grant funded by EPSRC on ‘Catalytic Microwave Process for Upgrading of Pyrolysis Liquids from Ubiquitous Plastic Wastes’ 
• Conduct experimental studies of the preparation of cost effective catalysts for upgrading/halogen removal of pyrolysis oils, within area of specialism under the supervision of Prof. Joe Wood
• Study the heating of pyrolysis oils via resistive and induction heating and deploy these techniques in conjunction with continuous reactor technologies for oil upgrading
• Investigate the effectiveness of the above techniques stand-alone, in combination, and understand the reaction networks involved in upgrading pyrolysis oils towards target products
• Study the co-processing mixed plastic and other waste oils and tertiary treatment to produce drop-in fuels
• Propose and fit kinetic models to the reactor data and carry out techno-economic modelling to determine the profitability and scalability of deploying these technologies industrially
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the project as requested; attend regular project meetings; give regular presentations to the group; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals
• To play an active role in the Catalysis & Reaction Engineering research group, participating in all group meetings and activities. You may help to supervise research (PhD, MEng and MSc) students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment
• Liaise with project partners and make contributions to knowledge transfer, business and public engagement 

Main Duties

• Prepare catalysts from raw materials such as zeolites and red mud
• Plan and carry out experimental studies of catalyst performance upgrading of pyrolysis oils in a flow reactor, including characterisation of catalysts and reactor products, e.g via gas chromatography (GC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Devise kinetic models and fit them to reaction profiles to determine the model of best fit, for example using software packages such as gProms, MSExcel and MATLAB
• Contribute to the design, procurement, commissioning and operation of a laboratory scale flow reactor
• Troubleshoot and maintain the catalytic testing reactor equipment with the support of technicians
• Work with the project team including researchers in Nottingham and project partners
• Flexibility to work at Tyseley Energy Park, Birmingham, for occasional analytical work
• Analyse and interpret data as directed 
• Disseminate research findings, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to Departmental research-related activities and administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Hold or be close to completing a PhD Degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline
• First degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline
• Ability and experience to plan and carry out laboratory work in catalysis, reaction engineering and/or separation processes
• Experience of working with rigs and reactors preferred
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones via application of data modelling software, e.g. MSExcel or MATLAB
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Joe Wood, email: or telephone 0121 414 5295 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is one of our values. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone  on our website .