School/Department: School of Water, Energy and Environment
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: Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2024 or up to a maximum of 12 months depending on the start date
Salary: Research Assistant: Starting salary is normally 26,860 to 30,513 per annum, with potential progression to 37,701 per annum. Research Fellow: Starting salary is normally 35,559
per annum
Apply by: 31/03/2023

Role Description

About the Role

Crystallisation is a critical unit process for the separation and purification of valuable products, where the crystal size, form and purity are vitally important to their final use. These characteristics are dependent upon the supersaturation level, which is difficult to control in classical crystallisers due to the relatively undefined mixing, making reproducibility and the scalability of new products difficult to predict.

Membrane crystallisation is a breakthrough platform technology providing fixed interfacial area that can achieve extremely precise control over supersaturation which assures product quality and is complemented by consistent and reproducible hydrodynamics (mixing) that are inherently scalable. Our primary research (European Research Council grant; SCARCE, 2017-2022) has shown membrane crystallisation to be adaptive to resource recovery, zero liquid discharge and the production of medicines.

Through this second prestigious European Research Council grant (STREAM-C), the science underpinning scale-up of membrane crystallisation for CO₂ separations will be explored, where the formation of a crystalline product can break the energy barrier for carbon capture and storage, and the production of biomethane, which are both critical to delivery of the national decarbonisation strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for the adaptation of our existing membrane crystallisation platform, complete with non-invasive diagnostics for the in-situ characterisation of crystal growth, to enable the scale-up of membrane crystallisation, complemented with characterisation of the nucleation and crystal growth kinetics that can collectively describe crystallisation across various length scales. Through joining this vibrant and active membrane research group, there will also be opportunity to engage and collaborate in a broad range of membrane-based activity.

About You

You will have a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related discipline. Extensive knowledge in membrane systems operation and diagnostics, or crystallisation processes 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.

CWSI has over 40 years experience in the sector, and we are recognised internationally for our transformational research and teaching in the science, engineering, and management of water. Cranfield houses state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, enabling research to be undertaken in all areas of water science, and in addition operates the National Research Facility for Water and Wastewater Treatment, offering a unique suite of near industrial-scale piloting facilities which are globally leading. The membrane group within CWSI is built on a strong heritage of delivering internationally competitive science and we are seeking a highly motivated individual to grow our group and support the delivery of pioneering research on membrane crystallisation.

Further information can be found by visiting: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/themes/water

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 Ewan McAdam, Professor in Membrane Science and Technology, on (T): +44 (0)1234 754546) or +44 (0)1234 750111 Ext. 4546 or (E): e.mcadam@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply online now. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: hrrecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 4447.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Monday 31^st March 2023

Interviews to be held:  w/c 10^th April 2023