Research Fellow in Transforming Foundation Industries (Cement)

Are you interested in reducing the impact of the extraction, processing and use of bulk materials, particularly cement and concrete, on the environment? Do you have experience in working with industrial partners to create more efficient and sustainable products and business models?

TransFIRe (Transforming Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub) was developed to transform the Foundation Industries, namely: Chemicals, Cement, Ceramics, Glass, Metals and Paper. These industries produce 75% of all materials (28 M tonnes per year) and are worth £52 Bn to the UK economy, accounting for about 10% of the UK total CO2 emissions. The UK government wants to make these industries more internationally competitive, to secure jobs in these industries and help them grow. UKRI has allocated £4.7 M for three years to work with universities, research organisations and industry to assist with technology development and transfer, new business developments and new opportunities in materials and technologies to help to achieve the Net Zero 2050 target.

TransFIRe is a consortium of 20 academics from 12 universities, 49 companies and 14 non-governmental organisations related to the sectors, with expertise across the foundation industries as well as energy mapping, life cycle and sustainability, industrial symbiosis, computer science, AI and digital manufacturing, management and business, social sciences and technology transfer. TransFIRe is led by Professor Mark Jolly, Director of Manufacturing at Cranfield University.

The activity in TRANSFire regarding the cement industry is based at Leeds University. We are seeking a researcher with expertise in cement, concrete and circular economy who will work with the cement and concrete industries to develop new technologies, business models and materials that will contribute towards decarbonising this sector.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 21.6% of salary. 
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

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

Prof. Phil Purnell ,  Professor of Materials and Structures

Tel: +44(0)113 343 0370

Email: [email protected]

Dr Anne Velenturf , Research Impact Fellow in Circular Economy

Email: [email protected]

Dr Michal Drewniok , Research Fellow in Transforming Foundation Industries

Email: [email protected]