Research Fellow in Process Chemistry

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Are you a creative process chemist looking for your next challenge? Does developing interdisciplinary solutions to poor air quality, a problem affecting the health of thousands of people, motivate you? Do you want to develop your networks both in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive institutions and with industrial partners?

You will join our team from the Schools of Chemistry, and Chemical and Process Engineering, working to develop LowCat, a new catalyst for NOx emissions mitigation. You will support a late-stage commercialisation project funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The project builds on existing work demonstrating the effectiveness of LowCat for exhaust emissions mitigation and initial scale up of manufacture to the kg scale. The team at University of Leeds are working with partners from University College London, the ISIS Neutron facility and MinChem limited to deliver a scalable process for manufacture of an optimised catalyst to a range of target markets.

You will work closely with process chemistry experts in the Institute of Process Research and Development and at MinChem limited, as well as academic project collaborators, and will lead on the development of a continuous flow process for production of a consistent, optimised product. You will design and construct a novel continuous flow process with reaction monitoring, product separation and purification. You will test catalyst activity, lifetime and consistency using a gas / heterogeneous reactivity apparatus. In addition, you will seek opportunities to publish work, contribute to intellectual property protection and assist in commercialisation activities. This offers the opportunity to develop wider research skills and networks which could support career development either in academia or industry.

Working in the Institute of Process Research and Development (iPRD) you will join a vibrant, growing and widely recognised Institute of around 40 academics, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, with a strong focus on collaborative working with industry to develop more efficient and sustainable processes.

Holding a PhD (or have submitted your thesis before taking up the role) in Chemistry or Chemical Process Engineering or a closely allied discipline; you will have excellent communication skills and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Alexander James , Research Fellow 

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 8078 or email: [email protected]

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School/Institute:  School of Chemistry
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £37,099 to £44,263 p.a.
Working Time:  37.5 hours per week
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (Up to 17 months, to end by 31 October 2025 - to complete specific time limited work)
Release Date:  Wednesday 10 April 2024
Closing Date:  Wednesday 08 May 2024
Reference:  EPSCH1105
Downloads:  Candidate Brief