Faculty or Department: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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: For 12 months
Salary: Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD): Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum; Research Fellow (if PhD obtained): Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 per annum
Apply by: 05/11/2024

Role Description

We welcome applications from experienced membrane technologists and membrane materials scientists to join our team.

About the Role

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are critical to desalination and water reuse applications, for the selective separation of unwanted contaminants to produce high quality water. However, the polymer chemistry of the current class of reverse osmosis membranes makes practical operation a challenge due to the sensitivity to chemicals used for cleaning, limited tolerance to feedwater composition and an inability to operate intermittently, with these collective factors also reducing the membrane lifetime. 

Cranfield are therefore working on a new generation of inorganic 2D materials to produce a chemically and physically robust reverse osmosis membrane technology, comprised of unique geometry that can provide a disruptive solution to the existing RO market which is experiencing substantial market growth. The successful candidate would work as part of an existing team developing this 2D technology at Cranfield, and as part of a wider international team of membrane scientists collaborating to accelerate this technology to market. Our ambition is unique, in seeking to accelerate from the basic materials science to a commercial scale module within the duration of the project. Consequently, the successful candidate would work within the team across areas of membrane preparation, synthesis, scale-up, system design and characterisation, with their specific role being dependent on experience and expertise. This is a rare opportunity to have meaningful input into the development of a new generation of membrane technologies which we intend to accelerate into the marketplace.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering or a related discipline. Extensive knowledge in membrane materials science and/or membrane systems operation and diagnostics is essential. Applicants must have a proven ability in the design, build and construction of laboratory testing equipment, as well as undertaking extensive laboratory based experimental research.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The Water Theme at Cranfield has a global reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water. Our lives and livelihoods are dependent on the natural and engineered water cycles. Accordingly, research and skills development in water treatment and management have never been more vital. Cranfield’s research in these areas is focused on fundamental science insights and practical solutions, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years.  Learn more here.

Our Values and Commitments

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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Ewan McAdam, Professor of Membrane Science and Technology on (T): 01234 750111, or (E): e.mcadam@cranfield.ac.uk  

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 4945.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 5 November 2024

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.