Research Fellow in Reactor Design, Operation and Monitoring

Job Description

Research Fellow in Reactor Design, Operation and Monitoring: Grade: 7.32 – 7.34 Salary: £46,261-£48,679 p.a. incl. London allowance

Department: Chemical Engineering: Location: London

Reports to

Prof. Massimiliano Materazzi

Context

University College London (UCL) is a multi-disciplinary university with a population of over 19,000 undergraduate and 22,000 postgraduate students, from more than 130 different countries. Degree programmes are provided in Arts & Humanities, Built Environment, Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences and Social & Historical Sciences. For more information see www.ucl.ac.uk

UCL Engineering: The Faculty of Engineering Sciences, located in Bloomsbury in central London, comprises ten academic departments that undertake research and teaching across a great range of disciplines. Our scientists and engineers leverage discoveries from various areas, and innovate to produce solutions the world needs. It is a dynamic Faculty, with a strong vision and desire to use our talents to ‘Change the world’. For more information see www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering

UCL Department of Chemical Engineering is one of the top research and teaching departments in the UK and has world-class standing. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and has an extensive research portfolio across a wealth of areas, from molecular scale to complex systems. Over the past few years, the department has been undergoing rapid growth, and is the home of the Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering (CNIE), the Electrochemical Innovation Laboratory, and several consortia supported by the European Commission. For more information see www.ucl.ac.uk/chemeng.

The Bioenergy Technologies Research Lab lead by Prof. Materazzi has an opportunity for a postdoctoral research associate with outstanding interdisciplinary research background, exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills. The candidate is expected to have a keen interest in reactors design and operation (preferably with proved experience on fluidized bed reactors) and sustainability, with a background in chemical, mechanical or process engineering.

The post relates specifically to a new national project, Sustainable Open-loop Large-scale Inter-seasonal Thermochemical Heat Storage (SOLIS), developed in collaboration with University of Liverpool, Heriot Watt and University of Edinburgh. The SOLIS project, built around a novel multi-stage fluidised-bed reactor and advanced composite material design adopts a whole-systems approach to deliver a disruptive, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for large-scale, long-duration heat storage. The technology will be co-created and co-developed through proactive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including heating network designers and operators, end-users, energy equipment manufactures, and local authorities, ensuring broad and far-reaching impacts.

Main purpose of the job

To conduct experimental and theoretical/computational research, which implements reactor design (up to pilot scale) with heat integration, and multiphase flow analysis. The candidate is expected to lead the design and construction of a pilot scale reactor, collaborate with other researchers within the SOLIS project and International Partners, to extend the impact of the research also to other problems related to sustainable development.

Duties and responsibilities

To write reports and produce high-quality research publications, and present at conferences and other professional meetings.

Contribute to, or lead the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals, including Fellowship applications.

Contribute to the induction, direction and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as requested.

Where applicable, take responsibility for ensuring that experimental equipment is properly maintained and documented.

To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and Department, as required.

The post holder will actively follow UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities policies and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

To maintain an awareness and observation of fire and health & safety regulations.

The post holder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Principal Investigator.

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

This is a fixed-term role for 33 months.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in chemical or mechanical engineering, materials science, physical sciences or related.: Application form Extensive experience in reactor design & construction, P&ID, experimentation and analysis (chemistry, materials, physics and/or reacting systems): Application form Experience of working in a research environment.: Application form Experience of multi-disciplinary working, including initiating research with a complementary technique.: Application form Experience in either fluidization, powder technologies and reaction engineering – or, preferably, a combination of several of these areas.: Application form Hands-on experience on reactor assembling and risk assessment:

Skills and abilities

Demonstrated creativity and intellectual depth: Interview Demonstrated strong research, theoretical and/or experimental skills.: Application form Proven ability to analyse and write up results and data.: Interview First authorship for several articles in high-impact journals.: Application form Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.: Application form Excellent written and verbal communication skills (memos, reports, publications, grants).:

UCL Ways of Working

• Promoting personal and professional development for yourself and others - Thinking broadly and looking at overall objectives - Anticipating issues and adjusting and prioritising as and when necessary: Interview Contribution to institutional citizenship activities.:

A commitment to UCL’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech

Desirable Criteria: Assessment method

Experience in supervising students at postgraduate level