Research Associate

Description

Research Associate

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Job number

ENG03607

Faculties

Faculty of Engineering

Departments

Department of Chemical Engineering

Salary or Salary range

Competitive

Location/campus

South Kensington Campus - Hybrid

Contract type work pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Posting End Date

27 Jul 2025

About the role

In collaboration with EPSRC, Imperial and the world’s leading Chemical Engineering Company (BASF), we are seeking a Research Associate to join the Innovative Continuous Manufacturing of Industrial Chemicals (IConIC) consortium. The main aim of this Prosperity Partnership is to translate the UK’s scientific leadership in Flow Chemistry into industrial leadership and commercial value; to realise a step change in the implementation of continuous flow processing for the manufacture of high-value chemicals.

The global chemicals industry currently embeds ~450 MT of carbon (C) in its products (the majority from fossil feedstocks) compared to ~37 GT C emitted worldwide as CO2. Captured CO2 can be split into CO and O2 using electrically-driven plasmas, which are well-suited to the intermittent availability of renewable energy (e.g. wind and solar).

What you would be doing

This project investigates experimentally the production of high purity CO by the dissociation of CO2 (with impurities representative of those from a capture process) in a microwave-assisted plasma, focusing on reaction engineering, process safety, and the challenging separation of O2 from CO. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with an existing research associate, who is focusing on the development of the system as a whole at bench scale, and working towards demonstration at pilot scale. This new position will focus on reaction engineering of the plasma, and O2 separation within or immediately downstream of it. This is an experimental role, which may include aspects of computational modelling using e.g. COMSOL Multiphysics as required.

What we are looking for

• A PhD in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research or industrial experience (essential)
• Broad knowledge of chemical engineering, including the preparation of mass and energy balances, and reaction engineering (essential)
• Experience of working with plasma-based processes in the lab (desirable but not essential). However, it is essential to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of non-thermal plasma chemistry and kinetics
• Experience in design and construction of experimental apparatus and, or the synthesis of materials for separations relevant to this project (desirable)
• Experience of working with external collaborators (desirable)

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution
• Work with Industry partners and build on collaboration skills
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year)
• 10 training days available

Further information

The post is for 24 months with the possibility of an extension.

_If you require any further details on the role please contact: [Bhavna Patel] – [iconic-pp@imperial.ac.uk]._

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: Research Associate Plasma Tighe Imperial Job Description.pdf
• download: Employee Benefits Booklet.pdf

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Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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