Research Assistant or Associate in Mechanical Polymer Recycling Processes

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Job title Research Assistant or Associate in Mechanical Polymer Recycling Processes Job reference REQ
260601 Date posted 20/08/2026 Final date to receive applications 14/09/2026 Location Loughborough Package Specialist and Supporting Academic Research Grade 5 from £29,588 - £34,610 or Grade 6 from £35,608 - £41,064 per annum. Subject to annual pay review.

Full Job Title
:
Research [Assistant or Associate] in Mechanical Design of Polymer Recycling Processes

This role is being recruited to either Grade 5 or 6 depending on the pool of applicants we receive and is not suitable for remote working (office / laboratory based only). It is essential that the post holder has the ability and willingness to travel to national and international partners and undertake occasional short visits to project partners.

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.

Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better.

We are looking for a motivated and talented Researcher with a background in mechanical or manufacturing engineering, ideally with experience in recycling processes and lifecycle analysis. You will bring experimental, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary academic and industry teams.

You will be based at Loughborough University within the Wolfson School, working in the Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART), and collaborating closely with the Sports Technology Institute and Department of Materials. The role sits within a highly interdisciplinary, industry-facing environment with strong links to national partners and real-world applications.

This is a fixed-term post for 24 months, contributing to a major EPSRC and Defra-funded project addressing synthetic sports turf recycling. Candidates should have a Bachelors or Masters degree (Grade
5) or a PhD or near completion ( Grade
6) in a relevant discipline, experience in experimental research and mechanical process development, and a willingness to engage with…