Research Associate in Numerical Modelling AI-Driven Sorbent- Carbon Capture Technologies

Overview

Role: Research Associate in Numerical Modelling for AI-driven Sorbent-Based Carbon Capture Technologies

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1

FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday

Contract: 12 Months FTC (Potential opportunity for extension).

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role.

We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of our international and multidisciplinary team and with expertise to support our research activities in the engineering of optimal porous materials for COCO2 capture applications via a data-driven and system-based approach (AI4

Capture). This position is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our efforts on designing novel materials that are tailored for the most economical carbon capture process. The project will involve the design of adsorption-based processes that can be used for screening of materials and their integration into our techno-economic PrISMa platform, with the ultimate aim of identifying top performing materials for specific carbon capture applications.

The primary objectives of the research are:
1) to develop process models and cycle designs that can be integrated into our screening techno-economic platform;
2) to identify the optimal targets for materials development for selected combinations of CO2 sources and sinks obtained after the process system analysis; and
3) to help developing data-driven approaches for speeding up the screening of materials and the evaluation of the performance of carbon capture processes.

The successful applicant must hold a PhD (or about to obtain) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics or related discipline (e.g. mathematics or other engineering) with background and demonstrable expertise in numerical modelling. The post is available from 1st March 2026 for 12 months in the first instance and could be extended further.

See for more details.

Key duties and responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

• Conduct collaborative interdisciplinary research on numerical modelling of sorbent-based capture plants and developing other as-required modelling work to support the activities of the team
• Have strong experience in numerical modelling, preferable with Python
• Have a strong collaboration with the team and AI4
  
  Capture project partners to integrate process models with materials science, techno-economic analysis and life-cycle analysis
• Work collaboratively with the team to achieve the project goals. This includes coordination of interdisciplinary teams, supervision of students/junior researchers and maintenance/support of the facilities/equipment
• Prepare technical reports, posters and presentations for progress meetings, advisory board meetings and other as required dissemination activities
• Project coordination with other partners, work both independently and as part of a team to achieve overall programme milestones to time, liaising with team members, collaborating project partners and sponsors
• Take responsibility for progressing a primary research project, whilst also contributing to other projects underway within the team, e.g., supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students
• Contribute scientifically through scholarly acquisition and dissemination of research through the production of reports, publications, presentations and travel to meetings to outreach to the scientific community and general public
• Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g., for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative…