Research Associate, Research Scientist, Environmental Engineer

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the newly funded EPSRC project SOLCHEM (Integrated Photovoltaics and Electrocatalysts for Solar Chemical Production).

SOLCHEM aims to develop next-generation solar-driven technologies that convert carbon dioxide and waste glycerol into valuable chemicals. The project brings together expertise in photovoltaics, photoelectrochemistry, electrocatalysis and sustainable chemical manufacturing to create integrated devices capable of producing chemicals directly from sunlight.

We are looking for an ambitious researcher to lead the development of advanced electrocatalysts and integrated solar chemical devices. The successful candidate will work on the design, synthesis and optimisation of electrocatalysts for the selective reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene and the selective oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing efficient, inexpensive and scalable catalyst materials, while understanding the fundamental reaction mechanisms that govern catalytic activity, selectivity and stability.

The role spans catalyst development, mechanistic studies and systems integration. You will investigate catalyst structure–performance relationships using advanced physico-chemical, electrochemical and operando characterisation techniques, while developing a fundamental understanding of reaction pathways and degradation mechanisms. You will also contribute to the utilisation of direct-air-captured carbon dioxide and industrial glycerol streams for sustainable chemical production.

The project is inherently interdisciplinary and involves close collaboration across the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Materials. The successful candidate will be based within Dr Salvador Eslava’s group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and will work closely with Professor Magdalena Titirici on catalyst development and Professor Ifan Stephens on electrochemical and mechanistic investigations. A central aspect of the role will be the integration of advanced electrocatalysts into photoelectrochemical devices for solar chemical production.

You will develop catalytic materials and incorporate them into integrated systems alongside photovoltaic photoabsorbers, conductive carbon protection layers and reactor architectures for the direct conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide and waste feed stocks into valuable chemicals.

You will work closely with a second Research Associate developing advanced perovskite and organic photoabsorber materials in Dr Nicola Gasparini’s group, jointly integrating electrocatalysts, photoabsorbers and protective interfaces into complete photoelectrochemical devices and performing advanced operando and ex situ characterisation studies to understand device performance and reaction mechanisms. The role will also involve collaboration with a network of leading industrial and academic partners.

This unique research environment provides an exceptional opportunity to gain expertise across the full technology chain, from catalyst discovery and mechanistic understanding through device engineering and reactor integration to the production of sustainable chemicals using renewable energy.

• Take initiatives in the planning of your research, as well as help to direct the work of small research teams, including undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Design, synthesise and optimise electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction and glycerol valorisation and related reactions
• Investigate catalyst structure–performance relationships using advanced physico-chemical, electrochemical and operando characterisation techniques
• Develop mechanistic understanding of catalytic activity, selectivity and stability
• Integrate electrocatalysts into photoelectrochemical devices for solar chemical production
• Work closely with a second Research Associate developing advanced photovoltaic photoabsorbers
• Help manage the day-to-day operations of hosting groups
• Help run community activities, like the UK Solar Chemical Network
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and…