Research Assistant in Heterogeneous Catalysis

17644BR

Cardiff School of Chemistry

Research

Advert

Research Assistant in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work on a project CBET-EPSRC Direct methane conversion into valuable oxygenates via tandem catalysis funded by EPSRC. The project involves a collaboration between Cardiff, UCL and Louisiana State University (USA).

The main objective of this project is to design and develop multifunctional catalysts combined with a microchannel structured reactor to convert methane into value-added oxygenate products including methanol and acetic acid via atandem oxidative carbonylation process. The use of tandem heterogeneous catalysis represents an exceptionally novel approach to both catalyst and reaction design. We will explore the use of microchannel reactors for methane oxidation/carbonylation. Catalyst synthesis will be coupled with this reactivity testing and catalyst design will be driven by the reactor data. Catalysts will be characterised using state-of-the-art techniques.

Further information is available at the following group webpages:
Professor Graham Hutchings https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/38519-hutchings-graham

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact Professor Graham Hutchings: [email protected].

For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact Caroline Pasmore: [email protected].

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available immediately until 31st March 2026.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 17644BR.

Salary: £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5). 

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 17644BR.

Date advert posted: Friday, 15 December 2023

Closing date: Friday, 12 January 2024

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main Function

To contribute to research within the field of Heterogeneous Catalysis carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

•            To undertake research within Heterogeneous Catalysis for the Direct methane conversion into valuable oxygenates via tandem catalysis project by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.

•            Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.

•            To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.

•            To contribute and support research funding bids as required.

•            To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.

•        To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

•            To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.

•            To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team.

•            To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other

•            To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.

•            To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.

•            To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.

•            To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.

•            Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (e.g., 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.           A degree in Chemistry, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.           Knowledge of research methods and techniques within Heterogeneous Catalysis on the Direct methane conversion into valuable oxygenates via tandem catalysis project.

3.           Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately

4.           Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

5.           Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences

6.           Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other

7.           Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria

1.           Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/ submission) in a Heterogeneous Catalysis.

2.           Evidence of collaborations with international partners.

3.           Proven ability to work without close supervision.

4.           Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

5.           Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

Project Description

The main objective of this project is to design and develop multifunctional catalysts combined with a microchannel structured reactor to convert methane into value-added oxygenate products including methanol and acetic acid via a tandem oxidative carbonylation process. The use of tandem heterogeneous catalysis represents an exceptionally novel approach to both catalyst and reaction design. We will explore the use of microchannel reactors for methane oxidation/carbonylation. Catalyst synthesis will be coupled with this reactivity testing and catalyst design will be driven by the reactor data. Catalysts will be characterised using state-of-the-art techniques. The engineering and science will operate in an iterative manner with each new step informing the overall programme. What will success look like? Success will be the demonstration of the potential of a bespoke combination of a microchannel reactor coupled with multifunctional catalysts, generating enhanced performance that could lead to a paradigm shift in the synthesis and application of catalytic tandem reactions.

Job Category

Academic - Research