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Salary: £36,024 - £44,263

FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)

Term: Fixed Term (until 30 October 2026)

Closing Date: 23 September 2024

The Department of Chemical and Process Engineering (CPE) within the Faculty of Engineering is seeking to recruit a Research Associate to carry out theoretical modelling work to explore decarbonisation technologies including biomass valorisation, CO2 conversion, waste plastic recycling, etc. This position is one of the three PDRA positions to be recruited for one UKRI funded project with an overall aim at reshaping a fossil-free feedstock carbon supply to accelerate net-zero.

The position requires in-depth knowledge of large-scale computation, thermodynamic analysis and technical communication thus prior experience in Quantum Mechanics (QM) Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelling, thermodynamic analysis, mechanism and kinetics investigation, and a brief background of waste valorisation is required. The postholder will be responsible on computational modelling of the reaction mechanism and exploration of the thermodynamic and kinetics of the waste valorisation processes, evaluating the role of operating conditions and catalyst performance, predicting the yield of the key products based on the theoretical mechanism and kinetic results. The postholder will work closely with the principal investigator, other Research Associate, and the PhD students, that involved in this project.

As a Research Associate, under the general guidance of a research leader, you will develop research objectives, play a lead role in relation to a specific project/s or part of a broader project, conduct individual and/or collaborative research, contribute to the development of new research methods, and contribute to the securing of funds for research. You will write up research work for publication, individually or in collaboration with colleagues, and disseminate the results via peer reviewed journal publications and presentation at conferences. You will join external networks to share information and ideas, inform the development of research objectives. You will collaborate with colleagues to ensure that research advances and you will collaborate with colleagues on the development of knowledge exchange activities by, for example, participating in initiatives which establish research links with industry and influence public policy and the professions. You will co-supervise student projects, provide advice to students and contribute to teaching as required by, for example, running tutorials. You will contribute in a developing capacity to Department/School, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions and committees and engage in continuous professional development.

To be considered for the role, you will be educated to a minimum of PhD level in an appropriate discipline, or have significant relevant experience in addition to a relevant degree. You will have sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge in computational modelling, thermodynamic analysis, reaction mechanism exploration, kinetics analysis and a developing ability to conduct individual research work, to disseminate results and to prepare research proposals. You will have an ability to plan and organise your own workload effectively and an ability to work within a team environment. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences.

Whilst not essential for the role, applications are welcomed from candidates with relevant work experience, membership of relevant Chartered/professional bodies, and/or experience of knowledge exchange related activities.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr Xiaolei Zhang, Reader (xiaolei.zhang@strath.ac.uk).