ABOUT THE ROLE
 
Working as part of multi-disciplinary teams, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivery of research activity on the the " Bio-fabrication of sustainable functional bacterial cellulose aerogel for building insulation". We are seeking a highly committed, motivated and creative scientist to join the research team on this new EPSRC funded research project. The project aims to develop novel functional hierarchical cellulose aerogel with desired properties based on a sustainable fabrication method for thermal insulation and characterises mechanical properties and smart functional properties of developed cellulose-based materials relevant to their use in thermal regulation. The post ends at 31 May 2025.
 
This Research Project is being delivered within the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE, www.bbe.ac.uk) is a £8M initiative between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. HBBE develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of buildings which are responsive to their environment, grown using engineered living materials, metabolise their own waste, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health. The HBBE is based in the Department of Applied Sciences (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/applied-sciences). 

ABOUT YOU

Applicants should hold a PhD in Bioengineering or Biochemistry related subject and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in functional cellulose-based materials or functional biopolymer. Expertise in biomaterials and bio-fabrication is also desirable. You should be able to work independently and as part of a team, and also present multitasking abilities. Excellent communication (written and oral) and organisation skills are essential, and evidences in initiating and delivery scientific publication are required.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification. 
 
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Yunhong Jiang (yunhong.jiang@northumbria.ac.uk).
 
We welcome applications from the UK and across the world. Visit our web pages for details about Relocation Assistance. 
 
ABOUT US
 
At Northumbria, we embrace tomorrow. We pursue new thinking, forge new partnerships, create, and exchange new knowledge, and find new solutions. Our inspirational academics, partners and students work together to tackle tomorrow’s challenges head on. We are ready for the future whatever it may hold. 
 
Awarded the title of University of the Year in the 2022 Times Higher Education Awards, Northumbria University is a research-intensive modern university with a global reputation for academic excellence. 
 
Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now ranked top 25 for this measure. 
 
One of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from 137 countries, filled with world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and students at the heart of an outstanding experience, Northumbria is a new kind of excellent university.  Discover more about us.  
 
Northumbria University is a great place to work.  We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance.  To say thank you, we offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more. 
 
We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager. 
 
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff.  We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.  The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme.  We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.  
 
The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.