Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in surface science and interests in designing novel aqueous lubricant formulations? Are you interested to explore the innovation potential of a scientific discovery to bring the research closer to commercialisation? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

We are looking for a European Research Council (ERC) Proof-of-Concept funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a highly dynamic, interdisciplinary team; focusing on surface science techniques and friction force measurements in order to investigate aqueous lubrication. You will actively collaborate with experts in the Institute of Process Research & Development, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, and industrial stakeholders. Working alongside two other postdoctoral Research Fellows, you will be part of a project designing aqueous lubricant formulations for soft biological and bio-relevant polymeric surfaces.

You will work on designing new aqueous lubricant formulations and test their technical and commercial feasibility. This will involve integrating friction force measurements, surface science knowledge, advanced imaging and other colloid science techniques to gain mechanistic information on the nature of the processes occurring in complex human oral mucosa. In particular, you will conduct research on biological tissues, such as mucins from animal origin, proteins and other biopolymers.

You will have a PhD in Soft Matter, Biophysics, Food Science, Nanotechnology, Material Science, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or a related discipline, and extensive knowledge and experience of friction force measurement and surface chemistry. You will also have a positive approach to collaborative research and the drive to make a significant contribution to make this ground-breaking project a success.

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

Dr Anwesha Sarkar, Associate Professor of Food Colloids

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 2748, email: A.Sarkar@leeds.ac.uk

Location: Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Environment
School/Institute: School of Food Science & Nutrition
Category: Research
Grade: Grade 7
Salary: £33,797 to £40,322 p.a. Due to funding limitations, it is unlikely that an appointment will be made above £34,804
Working Time: 100% - We will consider job share / flexible working arrangements
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (for 18 months from 1st September 2020)
Closing Date: Sunday 31 May 2020
Reference: ENVFS1010
Downloads: Candidate Brief