Research Associate in Bio-Chemical Engineering
Location: Loughborough University, Loughborough, (Hybrid working)
Salary: £34,866 to £45,163 per annum. Subject to annual pay award.
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term
Duration: 24 months
Job Grade: Specialist and Supporting Academic Grade 6
About the Role
Loughborough University is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate in (Bio)Chemical Engineering to join an innovative project aimed at demonstrating the commercial viability of a novel two-stage algae-based carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) system. This project will utilise surplus renewable electricity to convert industrial CO₂ emissions into valuable algal products such as food supplements, pigments, and bio-fertiliser. The research is funded by UKRI’s ‘Accelerating Research Outcomes to Deliver a Prosperous Net Zero’ scheme and involves collaborations with Heriot-Watt University, University of Manchester, and Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as leading industrial partners.
The post is based in the Departments of Chemical Engineering (School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering) and the Water Engineering Group (Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering) at Loughborough University. The selected candidate will be responsible for strain selection, system optimisation, and real-world testing of the CCU technology.
Key Responsibilities
Identify, screen, and select high-performance halophilic algae strains for cultivation under industry-relevant conditions.
Develop technical protocols for rapid growth screening, product extraction, and analysis.
Establish and optimise a continuous two-stage carbon capture and algae utilisation system.
Work closely with partners and suppliers to design and commission a scale-up system for on-site trials.
Plan and conduct on-site trials with selected project partners.
Perform risk assessments and adhere to safety protocols.
Coordinate activities across the research consortium and collaborate with academic and industrial partners, including short- and medium-term visits.
Analyse data, document findings, and write reports for publication in high-quality academic journals.
Present research outcomes at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
Support the supervision of undergraduate, MSc, and PhD students in related research projects.
Engage in training programmes and professional development opportunities relevant to the project.
About You
Essential Criteria:
PhD (or near completion) in (Bio)Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
Experience in algae cultivation, bioprocess engineering, or carbon capture technologies.
Proven ability to design and conduct laboratory experiments and translate findings to pilot-scale applications.
Strong skills in data analysis, technical report writing, and scientific publishing.
Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience working with industrial partners and knowledge of scale-up processes.
Familiarity with life cycle analysis (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) for CCU technologies.
Experience in developing bio-based products from algae.
Background in water engineering or process integration within industrial systems.
Closing Date: 10 March 2025