Graduate Research Assistant in Rare Earth Supply Chains

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new full time post is available from 1 April 2024 on a fixed term basis until 30 April 2025. This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.   

Summary of the role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Professor Frances Wall and Xiaoyu Yan in a team from Camborne School of Mines (CSM), Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) and the Business School. This Innovate UK-funded post is available 1 April until 30 April 2025. The successful applicant will be part of a project called MineMT led by Minviro, a university spin out life cycle assessment consultancy (minviro.com). Together consortium members including University of Exeter, Mkango Rare Earths and Grundfos, with advice from the Rare Earth Industry Association, will create a tool enabling industry to conduct impact quantification on complex rare earth element supply-chains to optimise flows through UK/global economies. The project is part of the high profile UK CLIMATES ‘Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains’ Programme initiative to establish rare earth supply chains. Rare earth magnet motors are essential constituents in many electric vehicles, water pumps and large wind turbines.

The post will support data collection and research for life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) modelling under Frances/Xiaoyu's (CSM/ESI) guidance, with advice from Professors Peter Hopkinson and Markus Zils in the Business School and Dr Sam Broom-Fendley in CSM. It will provide excellent experience for anyone interested in researching or working in geological/processing/environmental assessment/circular economy or business supply chain aspects of critical minerals.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline (e.g. geology or mining, minerals processing, materials science, circular economy, business supply chains) and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to acquire information from the literature and through conversations and present it in suitable form for use by multidisciplinary project team. They will be able to communicate well with a dispersed project team, learning quickly about this specialist subject.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Exeter Innovation directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Further information

Please contact Professor Frances Wall, e-mail [email protected] or Professor Xiaoyu Yan, [email protected] . Discussions about the post prior to application are very welcome.

Interviews are expected to take place on possibly 12 March or similar date.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.