Research Associate in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability

The University of Manchester - School of Engineering

Location:Manchester Salary:£37,694 to £42,254 per annum, dependent on relevant experience Hours:Full Time Contract Type:Fixed-Term/Contract Job reference: SAE-031177

Salary: Grade 6: £37,694 - £42,254 per annum, dependent on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Department of Chemical Engineering

Hours Per Week: Full Time

Closing date: 27/04/2026

Contract Duration: 36 Months

School/Directorate: School of Engineering

About the role:

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 expertise in life cycle thinking, economic and environmental sustainability assessment including techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), to join our multidisciplinary research team and become part of Dr. Cuéllar-Franca’s sustainability research group. The post-holder will play a key role in assessing opportunities for the valorisation of waste streams and assessing valorisation strategies being developed throughout the project to maximize economic potential and minimize environmental impact. 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.

The project is based across the Departments of Materials and Chemical Engineering with this role being based in the School of Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering. 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.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers, and much more.

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.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Rosa Cuellar Franca

Email: rosa.cuellarfranca@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk