Research Associate in Chemical Recycling Technology Development

Job Details

Location:ManchesterSalary:£37,694 to £42,254 per annum depending on relevant experienceHours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:7th April 2026Closes:28th April 2026Job Ref:SAE-031178

Job reference: SAE-031178

Salary: £37,694-£42,254 per annum depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Department of Materials

Hours Per Week: 35

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 28/04/2026

Contract Duration: 36 months

School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

Background

This 3-year post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) position will form part of an interdisciplinary EPSRC-funded research project to advance the UKs capabilities to recycle currently hard to recycle products. The Recovering MOlecular ValuE from Unrecycled Multi-materials (REMOVE-UM) project addresses the challenge of recovering value from complex multi-material products for which limited viable recycling methods currently exist, and which are often incinerated for energy recovery or consigned to landfill. The research program integrates economic, environmental, and societal measures to inform decision-making throughout. It encompasses the analysis of end-of-life material flows, the chemical valorisation of materials using a range of techniques and the development of advanced separation technologies to efficiently recover value. Due to the inherent complexity of this challenge an interdisciplinary team of researchers is being assembled to collaborate on developing sustainable, economically viable solutions for multi-material, plastic-containing waste.

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and collaborative post-doctoral research associate with experience in one or more of catalysis, reaction development and complex mixture analysis to join our interdisciplinary research team. The post-holder will play a key role in designing, developing and scaling valorisation strategies for the catalytic deconstruction of multi-material waste streams and collaborating with the other team members to maximize economic potential and minimize environmental impact of developed approaches. In addition to research responsibilities, the post-holder will support the day-to-day running of the group, offering technical guidance, mentorship, and supervision to PhD and undergraduate students when required. This includes assisting with research activities, fostering collaboration within the group, and contributing to a dynamic and productive research environment.

This project is a collaboration across the Departments of Materials and Chemical Engineering with this particular role being based in the School of Natural Sciences in the Department of Materials. The team is necessarily interdisciplinary, with polymer scientists working with economists, social scientists and life-cycle experts to co-create robust solutions to managing plastic from creation to end-of-life. Collaborators from across the university bring expertise in social science, life cycle assessment, chemical depolymerisation, biomedical materials science, recycling and systems to support the project.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.