School/Department School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period 24 Months
Salary Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £33,809 to £35,693 per annum
Apply by 26/10/2021

Role Description

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

We welcome applications for this exciting Research Fellow post from those with relevant knowledge and experience in sustainable manufacturing and life cycle assessment.

About Theme

Cranfield Manufacturing (which includes major activities in Materials) is following the ambitious strategy of developing a roadmap for a Sustainable Manufacturing Sector for 2050 by applying fundamental science and thought leadership via conceiving and maturing the concepts of Smart, Clean and Green manufacturing solutions agnostically across all sectors and through all tiers of the supply chain with SMEs as well as OEMs. This is to support the national aspiration of Net Zero UK by 2050. We offer world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of the manufacturing research. Our capabilities are unique, with a focus on simulation and modelling, and sustainability.  They also include work in composite manufacture, metallic glasses, nano-materials (graphene, coatings and sensors), low energy casting, thermal barrier coatings and additive manufacturing.

About the Role

This post is a 24-month contract to contribute to the delivery of the UKRI funded project TransFIRE that is currently led by Cranfield University. Cranfield University is leading a research consortium examining how the foundation industries can grow and develop while helping achieve the net zero 2050 environmental targets.

TransFIRe (Transforming Foundation Industries Research and Innovation hub) was developed in response to the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) call to transform the foundation industries, namely: chemicals, cement, ceramics, glass, metals and paper. These industries produce 75% of all materials in the UK economy and are vital for the UK’s manufacturing and construction industries.

More information on the TransFIRE Hub can be found in the following press release: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2021/cranfield-to-lead-foundation-industries-green-recovery-research-consortium   

TransFIRE project is structured into three parallel work-streams, namely WS1: Transferring best practice – applying “Gentani”, WS2: Where there's muck there's brass and WS3: Working with communities - co-development of new business.  The role will focus on WS1. This research will explore best practice for common processes and equipment within the foundation industries and identify the theoretical and practical limits for resource use (energy, materials, water) and minimum environmental impacts across sectors. 

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level (or close to completion) in a relevant subject and have experience in sustainable manufacturing and materials processing, with a developing track record of publishing in high quality journals. In return, the successful applicant will have exciting opportunities for career development in this key position, and to be at the forefront of world leading research and education, joining a supportive team and environment.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from this group.  To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we are members of WES & Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day.

Flexible Working

We are currently piloting hybrid working arrangements until April 2022.  This means the majority of our staff are spending between 40% and 60% of their time working from the office where their job roles allow.

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Prof Konstantinos Salonitis, Head of Sustainable Manufacturing Centre, on (T): +44 (0) 1234 758347 or (E): k.salonitis@cranfield.ac.uk