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- Tasks: Join a team to model and analyse petrochemical systems for decarbonisation efforts.
- Company: Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change at the University of Bath.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and discounts on gym and tuition fees.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against climate change while advancing your research skills.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field or equivalent experience; expertise in modelling and data analysis.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 38249 - 45413 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated postdoctoral researcher, with an interest in working at the interface of industrial ecology and chemical engineering to support the decarbonisation of the petrochemical industry, to join our team at the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change. This project aims to understand how future changes in demand for polymers, chemicals and transport fuels interact with changes in petrochemical production systems, and under which conditions the most significant reductions in life-cycle GHG emissions can be achieved. You will be playing a key role in the global effort to deliver Net Zero.
In this research position, you will play a key role in developing an integrated, regional-scale, whole-system model of the petrochemical system, from feedstocks through to polymer production and end-of-life treatment. Specifically, you will:
- Build on models of the petrochemical system at global scale, previously developed at Bath, to create regional Material Flow Analysis (MFA) / Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models of current production routes and their emissions.
- Work with other members of the research team (based at the University of Sheffield) to integrate their process modelling and production data analysis into the regionalised model to represent current operation and emissions.
- Model future scenarios and changes in demand and in process characteristics and production routes, and their effect on emissions.
The role is advertised at Grade 7, but a lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. In this case, applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.
This research project is an industry collaboration jointly with the University of Sheffield. As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
Our ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in a relevant subject area, or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
- Expertise in process-based Material Flow Analysis and/or Life Cycle Assessment, or experience in other relevant modelling/data analysis projects and a proven ability to learn and apply new modelling approaches.
- Good organisational and presentation skills.
- The ability to work well in an interdisciplinary environment, with academic and industrial partners.
- Knowledge of chemical engineering and/or polymers and related products and systems, or a strong ability for interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers in chemical engineering, and a willingness to learn.
In our group, we work with Python, version control, and similar tools for developing and sharing research code and models. If you like working in this way, that’s great, but also many are new to this, and we’ll support you to learn as appropriate.
This position is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected end date of 06 November 2027. We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
Benefits include:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days for a positive work-life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
Starting from £38,249, rising to £45,413.
Research Associate in LCA/MFA of Regional Petrochemical Systems employer: International Society for Industrial Ecology
Contact Detail:
International Society for Industrial Ecology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in LCA/MFA of Regional Petrochemical Systems
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the petrochemical and sustainability sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your previous research and modelling work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this as a visual aid to demonstrate your expertise in LCA/MFA and how you can contribute to their projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get together with friends or colleagues and do mock interviews. Focus on common questions related to research roles and the petrochemical industry. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s your turn to shine in the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Keep an eye on our listings and make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to each role you’re interested in.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in LCA/MFA of Regional Petrochemical Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. We want to see how your background in LCA/MFA can contribute to our mission of decarbonising the petrochemical industry.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity! Share your enthusiasm for industrial ecology and chemical engineering, and how you envision contributing to the project. A genuine interest can really make your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at International Society for Industrial Ecology
✨Know Your Models
Make sure you’re well-versed in Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Brush up on the models previously developed at Bath, as you'll need to discuss how you can build on them. Being able to articulate your understanding of these concepts will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This position involves working with a diverse research team, so be prepared to discuss your experience in interdisciplinary environments. Share examples of past collaborations, especially those involving chemical engineering or related fields, to demonstrate your ability to work well with others.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling Questions
Expect questions about modelling future scenarios and changes in demand. Think about how you would approach this task and be ready to explain your thought process. Highlight any relevant projects where you've had to model complex systems or predict outcomes based on varying inputs.
✨Emphasise Your Learning Mindset
Since the role involves using tools like Python and version control, express your willingness to learn and adapt. If you have experience with these tools, great! If not, share how you've successfully picked up new skills in the past. This shows that you're proactive and open to growth, which is key in a research environment.
