Research Fellow (Surface-COnfined fast-modulated Plasma for process and Energy intensification (SCOPE)) (104254-1021)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
School of Engineering
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick - Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Fixed Term Contract for 18 Months
36.5 hours per week
This full-time post is available for up to 18 months fixed term contract (with possibility of extension) to end no later than 01 April 2024 to undertake research on process development and optimisation for chemical conversion using non-thermal plasma energy.
You will work with the Principal Investigators to develop a new, technically sound reactor design for symbiotic plasma-catalysis N-fixation.
You will assist the Principal Investigators of the SCOPE project and, where appropriate, project collaborators in the successful execution of the project.
You will undertake independent and collaborative research and will be expected to write up your research for publication.
You will be expected to deal with any management/administration problems that may arise from the project and produce and present regular project reports ensuring that the project objectives and deadlines are met.
Whilst employed by the University of Warwick, the successful candidate will cooperate with a research group, also led by Professor Volker Hessel, at the University of Adelaide for the duration of the contract. Some travel to the Australia may be required.
This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and ambitious chemical engineer or physical chemist or to perform cutting edge research within the framework of an ERC Synergy project SCOPE.
You will have (or be about to be awarded) a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry or a related discipline, and will have proven ability to undertake high quality research.
You will have a working knowledge of process development and optimisation analytical instruments such as FTIR, and will have excellent communication skills, time management and IT skills.
Experience in the areas of non-thermal plasma and/or microfabrication/catalysis will be a distinct advantage.
Applications from candidates in groups under-represented in the Engineering sector are particularly welcome.
The University aims to promote work life balance for all employees and the School of Engineering will consider a range of possible flexible working arrangements in order to recruit the best candidate.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.
Interview Date - TBC
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To undertake research to support the work of the School and assist the Principal Investigators and, where appropriate, project collaborators in the successful execution of the project.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITES
Research
1. Help establish a sound research base within the department in order to assist the development of research objectives and proposals for own or joint research.
2. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects. Plan own day-to-day activity within framework of the agreed research program.
3. Write up research work for publication.
4. Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
5. Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress
6. May contribute to preparing proposals and applications to external bodies.
7. May present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research, e.g. steering groups.
8. May contribute to the preparation of papers for steering groups and other bodies.
9. Communicate complex information (orally and in writing) and material of a specialist or highly technical nature.
10. Continually update own knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
11. Assist in the supervision of student projects and the development of student research skills.
12. May be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects.
13. May be required to attend departmental meetings and to participate (where necessary) in other committees and working groups within the department, the faculty and the University.
14. Ensure compliance with health and safety. And other University regulations and good working practices in all aspects of work.
15. Work within budget constraints. Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner.
16. Any other duties as directed by the Principal Investigator of the project.
Administration and Other Activities
1. To contribute to School of Engineering committees and administrative duties and tasks.
2. To ensure compliance with Health and Safety, and other University regulations and good working practices in all aspects of work.
The duties and responsibilities outlined above are for guidance on the main aspects of the job. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in their duties. Occasional weekend, evening and overseas working may be required, in turn the School offers flexible working where possible.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Good honours degree (2.1 minimum) or equivalent in a relevant subject. (a)
Essential Criteria 2
A PhD in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Physics, or related subject (a)
Essential Criteria 3
Proven ability in research and evidence of quality research output in relevant field.(a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 4
A developing research profile with the ability to publish and/or produce high quality research output.(a) (c)
Essential Criteria 5
Working knowledge of process development and optimisation (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 6
Working knowledge of analytical instruments such as GC, HPLC and FTIR, for example. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 7
Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and effectively with academic and administrative colleagues, including those external to the University, to promote and contribute towards a collegial environment.(a) (c)
Essential Criteria 8
Able to demonstrate a capacity to contribute collegiately to the life and community of the School by undertaking a variety of duties, such as supporting offer holder days and outreach activities, which will occasionally require weekend work. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 9
Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and proven ability to use IT to write technical research papers and presentations. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 10
Able to evidence excellent interpersonal skills with relevant experience of working independently and as part of a team. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 11
Able to evidence strong time management and organisational skills. (a) (c)
Essential Criteria 12
Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 13
Understanding of equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content. (a) (c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Relevant experience in non-thermal plasma (a) (c) (d)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience in microfabrication/catalysis or other relevant cross-disciplinary research fields (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience in process development and optimisation (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 4
Relevant experience in (co)supervising of PhD and undergraduate students (a) (c) (d)
Further Particulars
The Post
This post is available initially for up to 18 months to undertake research on process development and optimisation for chemical conversion using non-thermal plasma energy. Our previous studies have shown that non-thermal plasma can be applied to N fixation.
An efficient reactor design is essential to improve key performance parameters of the process, which are, first of all, energy efficiency and yield. Yet, literature studies with the existing types of plasma reactors (gliding arc, DBD), including our own ones, show that those reactors have intrinsic shortcomings, which probably set a severe limit for further optimisation.
Thus, a new reactor concept is needed, which actually enables a new process, as we suppose that transport processes and selectivity in creating active species as well as their concentration make major points.
Thus, our SCOPE project (ERC Synergy Grant, EU) proposes a new kind of microplasma, with much reduced electrode-to-electrode dimensions, microstructured reaction environment, and temperature modulations at the catalyst: Surface-COnfined fast-modulated Plasma for process and Energy intensification in small molecules conversion (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/810182).
This shall enable specific catalysts able to work in symbiosis with the radicals and photo- or vibrational excited species generated by plasma are necessary.
The candidate will have to develop a technically sound reactor design for symbiotic plasma-catalysis N-fixation through gas and liquid phase.
Candidate will apply both commercial and self-developed micro-plasma reactor to synthesis ammonia using water as a hydrogen source.
This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and ambitious chemical engineer or physical chemist or to perform cutting edge research within the framework of an ERC Synergy project SCOPE.
The Project
The project will introduce a ground-breaking approach to use renewable energy for N2 fixation. We will use non-thermal plasma, which has large potential to convert these low reactive molecules under near ambient temperature and pressure, particularly for distributed processes based on renewable energy.
By inducing excited states in solid catalysts to work in synergy with the excited short-lived plasma species, the project will introduce a brand new idea for catalyst-plasma symbiosis.
In addition, we introduce a fully new concept of micro-plasma array through a novel electrode design, to generate the plasma at the catalyst surface, thereby overcoming long distance transport.
Athena SWAN
The School of Engineering is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises work undertaken to address gender equality, representation and progression for all staff working in an academic environment.
The School currently holds the Athena SWAN Silver award and the University holds an Institutional Silver award.
Further information about the work of the School in relation to Athena SWAN can be found at the following link;
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/about/athenaswan/
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Other Information
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Closing Date
3 Nov 2021