Organisation/Company: Cranfield University
Department: HR & Development Group
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1), Recognised Researcher (R2)
Positions: Master Positions
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 16 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 37
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Reference Number: 5017
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Environmental Sustainability
Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Processes (2 posts)
Fixed Term Contract for 24 months or until the project end date, whichever is sooner
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
Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire
The Cranfield Water Science Institute welcomes applications from passionate, skilled and motivated engineering, chemistry or environmental science graduates with a PhD in the field of water or wastewater treatment processes to join our drinking water team and contribute to investigating treatment strategies for PFAS removal from water.
About the Role
We are looking for a self-driven Research Fellow/Research Assistant to join our dynamic team to address the challenge of removing PFAS compounds, also known as forever chemicals, from drinking water. The successful candidate will investigate advanced and innovative treatment strategies to remove PFAS such as advanced oxidation processes, adsorption and ion exchange. The project will also explore the regeneration and reuse of PFAS-saturated adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins through thermal and chemical regeneration processes. This research is part of the recently-awarded OFWAT project, PFAS – A whole system approach to an impossible problem.
You will play a pivotal role in a high-profile project of national relevance aimed at advancing our understanding of PFAS chemistry and treatability. You will use our National Research Facility for Water and Wastewater Treatment to deliver this innovative research. The outcomes of the project will inform national strategies for managing PFAS in drinking water and mitigate water quality risks. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional passionate about water processes, environmental engineering and science to deliver impactful research for the water sector.
About You
You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant engineering or science discipline such as, but not limited to, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry or environmental science. The successful candidate will investigate advanced and innovative treatment strategies to remove PFAS such as advanced oxidation processes, adsorption and ion exchange. The project will also explore the regeneration and reuse of PFAS-saturated adsorbents such as activated carbon through thermal and chemical regeneration processes.
The ideal candidate will have expertise in:
* Experimental research related to water treatment processes, ideally, advanced oxidation processes, adsorption or ion exchange
* Working with PFAS or other micropollutants
* Advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS
* Statistical data analysis
* Working with pilot plants
You will have project management skills and demonstrable experience of timely research delivery, with excellent demonstrable communication skills. You will be able to demonstrate a track record of high-quality scientific publications. You should also have knowledge and experience of advanced oxidation processes such as UV-based processes, electrochemical processes or wet oxidation processes, adsorption processes with activated carbon, and/or ion exchange. Equivalent industry experience would be considered.
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in water technology and management globally. The Water Science Institute undertakes globally leading research and post-graduate teaching in water and wastewater process science, engineering and management. We drive sustainable solutions to combat the multiple challenges being faced by our water resources, assets and services.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community.
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 Dr Irene Carra, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Processes, on (E): irene.carra@cranfield.ac.uk
Closing date for receipt of applications: 16 March 2025
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.
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