KTP Associate in Sustainable Cementitious Materials

About Cocoon

At Cocoon, we’re developing low‑carbon construction materials for the builders of tomorrow. Steel and cement account for nearly 15% of global CO₂ emissions, and decarbonising these industries requires new approaches to mix design, testing, and implementation. We’re now establishing a fully equipped concrete laboratory in London to qualify SCMs, validate performance against industry standards, and support deployment of our technology at pilot and demo‑scale. We are looking for a Concrete Technologist to help make it happen.

The role is part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Sheffield and Cocoon Carbon. You will be employed by the University of Sheffield but largely based at Cocoon Carbon, Ealing, London, with occasional travel to Sheffield. The position will last 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a programme to understand the reactivity and long‑term performance of a novel low‑carbon SCM based on processed EAF slag.
• Prepare progress reports summarising research findings for project partners.
• Coordinate and drive interaction with internal and external partners, ensuring smooth collaboration and communication.
• Disseminate research results through papers for peer‑reviewed journals and presentations at national/international conferences.
• Assist with administrative tasks, student supervision and training.
• Plan specific research activities in agreement with the supervisory team.
• Complete all safety, licensing and ethical training and comply with all regulations.
• Apply ethical decision‑making and embed the University sustainability strategy into your work.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade.

Person Specification

• Essential – A good honours degree (or equivalent experience) in chemical, process, civil or structural engineering, materials science, or another relevant discipline.
• Essential – Close to completing a PhD (or equivalent experience) with broad knowledge of materials circularity and cement chemistry and engineering.
• Essential – Knowledge and experience of the chemistry, engineering and materials science of cements and supplementary cementitious materials.
• Essential – Experience with fresh and hardened state cement testing and characterisation methods such as isothermal calorimetry, XRD, SEM, XRF, FTIR, NMR, TGA, electron microscopy and other solid‑state and thermal analysis techniques.
• Essential – Experience in iron/speciation characterisation techniques (Mössbauer, XAS, etc.) and general slag characterisation.
• Essential – Ability to assess, organise resources and plan work activities.
• Essential – Creative problem‑solving skills and ability to analyse long‑term implications.
• Desirable – Strong leadership and management skills for a senior research group role.
• Desirable – Effective written and verbal communication skills, including presentation experience.
• Desirable – Ability to communicate results to academic and industrial audiences, evidenced by publications and conference attendance.
• Desirable – Ability to work within a university research group and collaborate with external partners.

Further Information

• Grade: Off‑scale.
• Salary: £42,000 – £45,000 per annum.
• Work arrangement: Full‑time (40 hours per week).
• Duration: 24 months.
• Line manager: Knowledge Base Supervisor.
• Direct reports: N/A.
• Salary review: annually.

Next Steps in the Recruitment Process

Following the closing date, we will contact shortlisted candidates by email. For any support or adjustments needed to participate in the recruitment process, contact cmbe‑staffing‑contracts@sheffield.ac.uk.