Turn your scientific knowledge into a real-world sustainability solution
Are you a recent postgraduate in Materials Science, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline, looking for an opportunity to make a tangible difference?
This is your chance to take your knowledge beyond the laboratory and help develop an innovative, low-carbon construction product that transforms waste into a valuable resource.
Working withRecycle It Global Ltd (RIG)and the University of Plymouth, you will play a key role in developing, testing and scaling up a new generation of sustainable masonry bricks made using waste-derived materials. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), you will combine advanced scientific research with practical industrial experience to help turn an innovative concept into a commercially viable construction product.
This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a significant technical development project, work alongside experienced industry professionals and academic specialists, and build expertise at the intersection of materials science, engineering and the circular economy.
What will you be doing?
You will lead the technical development of the new brick product, from understanding the properties of waste materials through to testing, manufacturing trials and preparation for commercial use.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing sustainable materials:Investigate waste-derived materials, including filter-press cake and recycled sands, and explore how they can be incorporated into innovative brick formulations.
- Experimenting and innovating:Design and optimise formulations using low-carbon and alternative binder systems to improve product performance and reduce environmental impact.
- Putting science into practice:Carry out laboratory testing to assess strength, durability, physical properties and microstructure.
- Analysing and interpreting data:Design robust experiments, analyse results and use scientific evidence to guide product development.
- Ensuring quality and compliance:Validate product performance against relevant British and European Standards, including BS EN 771-1 and the BS EN 772 series.
- Scaling up your ideas:Translate laboratory findings into pilot-scale and industrial manufacturing trials, working to optimise pressing, curing and production processes.
- Building lasting capability:Develop standard operating procedures, quality-control protocols and testing methods that become part of RIG's long-term operations
- Collaborating across disciplines:Work closely with academic supervisors, business leaders and production teams, bringing together research expertise and industrial knowledge.
- Supporting commercial success:Help prepare technical reports, communicate findings to project stakeholders and contribute to customer engagement and the introduction of the product to market.
- Sharing your work:Contribute to the dissemination of research and technical findings through appropriate academic and professional channels.
No two stages of the project will be quite the same. You will have the opportunity to investigate scientific challenges, solve practical engineering problems and see how your work contributes to the development of a real commercial product.
What will you gain?
A KTP is more than a research role. It offers a structured opportunity to develop as a technical specialist while working directly with a business to deliver innovation.
You will benefit from:
- Real responsibility:Take a leading role in a substantial product development project, with the opportunity to shape its technical direction.
- Industry experience:Work across laboratory research, product development and industrial manufacturing, developing skills that are highly transferable across the materials, construction and sustainability sectors.
- Academic expertise:Access the facilities, knowledge and research networks of the University of Plymouth, with approximately 25% of your time spent in university laboratories.
- Professional development:Access a dedicated £5,000 personal development and training budget to support your technical and career development.
- Expert mentoring:Receive day-to-day guidance from your business supervisor alongside structured academic supervision from university specialists.
- Commercial awareness:Gain experience of product validation, quality assurance, manufacturing processes and the challenges of bringing a new product to market.
- A sustainability focus:Help develop construction materials that make better use of waste resources and contribute to the transition towards a lower‑carbon, more circular economy.
By the end of the 30-month project, you will have developed a distinctive combination of scientific, technical, commercial and project leadership skills, together with experience of delivering innovation in an industrial setting.
About you
We are looking for a curious, analytical and motivated graduate who enjoys solving problems and wants to see their work make a practical difference.
You will ideally have:
- An MSc or PhD in Materials Science, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- A good understanding of cementitious materials, construction products or related materials engineering.
- Experience of laboratory experimentation, experimental design and data analysis.
- The ability to plan and manage complex technical work, investigate problems and draw evidence-based conclusions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical findings to different audiences.
- The confidence to work independently while collaborating effectively with academic researchers, engineers and operational teams.
- A practical, adaptable approach and an interest in applying scientific knowledge to industrial challenges.
- A full driving licence, as the role involves working across the Plymouth and Newquay sites.
It would be an advantage if you also have:
- Experiencewithlow-carbonorwaste-derivedconstructionmaterials
- FamiliaritywithBSENstandardsformasonryorconcreteproducts
- Experienceofpilot-scaleorindustrialprocessdevelopment
- Knowledgeofquality-controlsystemsorISO-alignedprocesses
- Previousindustry-linkedresearchorKTPexperience
We recognise that candidates may not have experience in every area. If you have a strong scientific foundation, an interest in sustainable materials and the motivation to learn, we encourage you to apply.
Where will you work?
You will be employed by the University of Plymouth and work primarily at RIG's Plymouth and Newquay sites, with regular access to university laboratories and research facilities.
Your work will combine practical laboratory investigation with time spent in an industrial environment, giving you direct insight into the challenges of developing and manufacturing a new construction product.
You will be supported by a business supervisor and an academic team, providing a valuable link between university research and commercial innovation.
About Recycle It Global Ltd
Recycle It Global Ltd is focused on rethinking waste and protecting natural resources. This partnership offers the opportunity to work with the business on an important innovation challenge: turning waste-derived materials into useful, sustainable construction products.
Find out more about RIG: https://rig-uk.com/
About the Knowledge Transfer Partnership
This role is part-funded by Innovate UK through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme. KTPs bring together businesses and universities to develop innovative solutions, improve business capability and turn research into practical applications.
The successful candidate will benefit from the combined expertise of Recycle It Global Ltd and the University of Plymouth, gaining valuable experience of research-led innovation and industrial product development.
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