Position of Research Associate:  Newcastle University 1403 views

Overview:

This is an exciting opportunity to join the School of Engineering as a Research Assistant / Associate in Process Intensification and Catalysis for Bio refining.

1. You will join a 5M€ Horizon 2020 Bio Based Industries project entitled “Bio SPRINT – Bio refining of Sugars via Process Intensification”.
2. The project brings together a consortium of 13 academic and industrial partners across Europe.
3. The overall aim of the project is to develop Process Intensification (PI) technologies for bio refining applications to purify and convert carbohydrate-rich side streams from bio refining, and pulp and paper processes, into bio renewable resins.
4. You will primarily focus on developing heterogeneous catalysts and hybrid extractive-reaction processes for intensified and selective conversion and separation of sugars into furan-based monomers but contribution to other processes related to the project such as purification steps will be expected
5. You will primarily focus on developing heterogenous catalysts and hybrid extractive-reaction processes for intensified and selective conversion and separation of sugars into furan-based monomers but contribution to other processes related to the project such as purification steps will be expected
6. You will benefit from significant interaction with various academic and industrial partners in the project consortium, and access to funding to attend consortium meetings and international conferences.
7. There will also be opportunities for joint supervision of UG and PGR student projects.
8. This position is hosted by the Process Intensification Group, with ~70 active researchers, the largest of its type in the world, working on several process intensification technologies and areas related to sustainable processing, biofuels, CO2 capture and valorisation, among other applications.
9. The position is available immediately and tenable for 44 months or until project end date, whichever is soonest.

Required Qualifications:

1. PhD award (or close to submission) in Chemical or Process Engineering, or Chemistry, preferably in the areas of heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, process intensification or bio refining, or a closely related discipline;
2. A minimum of a 2nd Class:1st Division Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Chemical or Process Engineering, or Chemistry or a closely related field.

Application Procedure: 

1. For information on the Bio SPRINT project, please follow this link: https://www.biosprint-project.eu
2. Infromal enquiries can be submitted to Dr Fernando Russo Abegão (russo-abegao@ncl.ac.uk) and Dr Kamelia Boodhoo (Kamelia.boodhoo@ncl.ac.uk)