Research Associate in Gas-Liquid-Solid Reactions in Liquid Foams

18029BR

Cardiff School of Chemistry

Research

Advert

Research Associate in Gas-Liquid-Solid Reactions in Liquid Foams
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 Heterogeneous Catalysis project using particle-stabilised foams funded by Cardiff University.

The overall focus of the programme is preparation of surface-active / amphiphilic catalysts able to assemble at the gas-liquid interface to stabilize organic foams and bubbles for conducting oxidation / hydrogenation reactions encompassing biobased reagents. Experience with multiphasic reactions and Pickering emulsions and foams and their characterization is highly desirable.

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact: Professor Marc Pera-Titus ([email protected]); https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/2460080-pera-titus-marc

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

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available from 01/04/2024 for 18 months.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 18029BR.

Salary:  £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). It is not anticipated that an appointment be made above £39,347 (Grade 6.32).

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 18029BR.

Date Advertised: 17 January 2024
Closing date: 14 February 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 conduct research within the field of particle-stabilized (Pickering) foams and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading 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 conduct research within the field of particle-stabilized (Pickering) foams and bubbles and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.

•            To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.

•            To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.

•            To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

•            To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.

•            To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.

•            To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, including research funding proposals.

•            To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

•            To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

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

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

•            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 (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.           Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in Chemical Engineering or Heterogeneous Catalysis or equivalent or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.           An established expertise and proven portfolio of research within the following research fields:

-             Knowledge of the state-of-the-art in one or more areas of supported metal nanoparticles synthesis for oxidation/hydrogenation reactions, and heterogeneous catalysis in general (essential).

-             Substantial experience of working with catalyst testing (gas/liquid/solid reactors, including microfluidic and microfluidic systems) and professional knowledge (essential).

-             Handling different catalyst characterisation techniques and data analysis (essential).

-             Using analytical techniques including NMR, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, and ability to develop analytical protocols for quantitative analysis of complex mixtures (essential).

-             Physical chemistry (preparation of emulsions, foams).

-             Mechanistic studies using kinetic and spectroscopic methodologies.

3.           Knowledge of current status of research in particle-stabilized (Pickering) foams

4.           Proven ability to publish in international journals and international conferences

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

Communication and Team Working

6.           Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

7.           Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

8.           Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

9.           Proven ability to work without close supervision and supervision of undergraduate (project) students.

CONTINUED IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional Information

CONTINUED FROM PERSON SPECIFICATION

Desirable Criteria

1.           Track record of successful participation in multidisciplinary project teams.

2.           Evidence of collaborations with industry.

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

4.           Evidence of ability to participate in, develop both internal and external networks, and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

5.           Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

This project concerns the synthesis and characterization of surface-active / amphiphilic metal-supported catalysts able to self-assemble at the gas-liquid interface to stabilize aqueous and non-aqueous foams and bubbles for conducting oxidation / hydrogenation reactions. It will explore the design of innovative catalysts to reengineer gas-liquid-solid reactors for the synthesis of commodity chemicals. The project is part of a ERC Proof of Concept grant, and will be run in cooperation with the company Solvay (https://www.solvay.com/en/).

Job Category

Academic - Research