Research Associate in Sustainable Engineering Polymers

The University of Manchester - Science and Engineering - Department of Materials - School of Natural Sciences

Location: Manchester

Salary: £37,174 to £45,413

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 16th July 2025

Closes: 10th August 2025

Job Ref: SAE-029321

Hours per week: Full Time (1 FTE)

Contract duration: 36 months

This 3-year post-doctoral research associate position forms part of the EPSRC Manufacturing Hub for a Sustainable Future in Engineering Plastics, a collaboration between The University of Manchester, Warwick University and University College London. The research programme aims to address the sustainability of engineering plastics across the transport, electronics and construction sectors by exploring the diverse solution space of new materials, digital technologies, reuse and repair, recycling and upcycling, and integrated sustainability assessments. The complex polymer formulations, multi-material components, and diverse use-case scenarios create barriers that must be understood before being broken down. This project will help our industry partners deliver on the promise of a more sustainable future. The project is a collaborative effort, with post-docs and PhD students collaborating across sectors and universities in an interdisciplinary environment to build actionable solutions to address the social, economic and environmental sustainability of engineering plastics.

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and collaborative post-doctoral research associate with expertise in materials science, polymer chemistry, or a related discipline, with a strong focus on recycling processes and sustainable materials. The successful candidate will collaboratively support several work packages to improve the sustainability of engineering plastics, with a focus on applying fundamental polymer science to industrially relevant projects. As we are recruiting for multiple roles, expertise in mechanical recycling, chemical depolymerisation, sustainable polymer chemistry, or polymer engineering are all relevant. The post-holder will work closely across academic partners and with industry to develop actionable solutions for improving circularity in engineering plastics.

The role will be based in the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub, embedded in both the University of Manchester and the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national lab for advanced materials. The Hub supports innovation in sustainable plastics and multi-materials, with a particular emphasis on tackling industrially relevant research questions. 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

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit. Our University is positive about flexible working. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews: Name: Prof. Michael Shaver, Email: michael.shaver@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries: Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk