Job Description
Job title
Research Associate
Department/School
Chemical Engineering
Job family
Education and Research
Grade
7
Reporting to
Dr Darrell Alec Patterson
Responsible for
To provide subject-specific research expertise and
undertake specific and collaborative research work for Dr
Darrell Alec Patterson at the University of Bath in the
framework of a Horizon 2020 ERC Consolidator grant
project titled: “TUNEMEM - Externally Tuneable
Separations for Membrane Reactors”.
Day to day supervision of other staff e.g. technical staff or
supervision of doctoral, masters, visiting or
undergraduate students may be required.
Location
University of Bath premises
Background and context
This position is provided by the University of Bath as part of a major project to Dr
Darrell Patterson funded by the EU in Horizon 2020. The project, entitled
“Externally Tuneable Separations for Membrane Reactors” (TUNEMEM), is
funded through a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator
Grant.
In this work we will develop an all new type of reactor for pharmaceutical and
chemical process applications – the ‘tuneable membrane reactor’. These contain
ground-breaking conducting polymer composite membranes that will allow in-situ
tuning of the molecular selectivity for both neutral and charged species through
them. This is revolutionary: current state-of-the-art membranes can be electrically
tuned for charged species only. The work is timely, developing a new technology
that can give the EU a competitive advantage for our declining pharmaceutical
and (petro)chemical manufacturing base and builds on my recent research
innovations.
To do this, you will be part of a team of at least 3 PDRAs, 3 PhDs with me to
develop unique stable polymer-polymer acid-nanoparticle composite membranes
that can be externally electrically tuned to different pore sizes and/or molecular
selectivity, uniquely tuning for neutral and charged species. We will characterise
the chemical, physical and transport mechanisms responsible for the membrane
tuneablity and relate these to transport models. We will then determine the
feasibility of applying these unique tuneable membranes into membrane reactors,
to allow in-situ external control of two key reactor parameters currently not
possible: (1) Membrane fouling - membrane pore size/free volume and charge
will be changed by applied potential allowing the fouling layer to be pushed
off/through the membrane. (2) Precise external control of the reactant and
product spectrum in the reactor by modifying species retention. By doing this,
these tuneable membranes can be used to control the reaction rate, emissions
and catalyst retention to maximise reaction rate and selectivity. This increases
energy efficiency and emission control, helping the EU 20-20-20 environmental
targets to be met. The overall impact applies beyond the action – we will be able
to increase the control of membrane separations used worldwide, helping
industries including food, water, healthcare and chemicals.
This position is for a postdoctoral research associate to work in the first two
workpackages of this grant: synthesizing and fabricating stable, robust and finely
electrically tuneable polyaniline membranes and determining the transport and
fouling mechanisms in these electrically tuneable membranes.
Job purpose
To provide subject-specific research expertise and undertake specific and collaborative
research work for Dr Darrell Alec Patterson at the University of Bath in the framework
of an ERC Considator Grant funded project titled: “Externally Tuneable Separations
for Membrane Reactors” (TUNEMEM).
Main duties and responsibilities
Responsible to the PI/CI for (as appropriate to discipline):
1
Conduct individual and/or collaborative research projects. Take a lead in the
experimental design and execution of the project. Collect and analyse existing
data related to the project using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
2
Writing up results of research and contributing to publishing of results in highquality peer-reviewed academic literature.
3
Project management: e.g. timetabling and meeting project milestones;
participating in regular discussions with collaborative partners. Liaise with key
stakeholders/industrial partners and conduct focus groups.
4
Disseminating results of project as appropriate to the discipline e.g. by
presentations at conferences.
5
Participate regularly in group meetings and prepare and deliver presentations to
project team, internal and external stakeholders or funders.
6
Assist with the supervision of graduate students and undergraduate project
students and the assessment of student knowledge.
7
Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism to inform
research activity.
8
Identify sources of funding and provide assistance with preparing bids to funding
bodies contribute to securing of funds for research.
9
Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with
assistance of a mentor if required.
10
Disseminate knowledge of research advances to inform departmental teaching
effort.
Person Specification
Criteria
Qualifications
A first degree and PhD in chemical engineering,
chemistry, or materials science/engineering.
Essential
Desirable
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Experience/Knowledge
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Post doctoral experience
Demonstrated significant depth and breadth of
specialist knowledge of membrane science and
engineering to contribute to research programmes
and to the development of departmental research
activities.
Sound knowledge of chemical and process
engineering
Knowledge of polymer synthesis methods and
techniques
Demonstrated knowledge of membrane fabrication
science and engineering
Demonstrated knowledge of membrane
characterisation techniques
Knowledge of membrane fouling and membrane
transport mechanism characterisation techniques
Demonstrated awareness of latest developments
in the field of research and in research design
Demonstrated track record and potential to publish
in high quality, peer reviewed journals
Skills
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and
collaborative environment
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Ability to prepare research proposals, to conduct
individual research work and to disseminate results
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Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
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Ability to write research reports and to effectively
disseminate outcomes
Excellent oral, interpersonal and written
communication skills
Proficiency in experimental techniques (as
appropriate to discipline)
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Proficiency in IT skills (as appropriate to discipline)
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Attributes
Innovation and developing creative solutions
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Enthusiasm and self-motivation.
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Organisation – able to plan and deliver work to
meet required deadlines
Tenacity – working to achieve own and team
objectives and to overcome obstacles
Ability to be an effective team worker
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Commitment to safe working practices and
departmental procedures
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