Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Processes

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Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Processes, Cranfield

Client:

Cranfield University

Location:

Cranfield, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

ee761f985c0d

Job Views:

7

Posted:

20.02.2025

Expiry Date:

06.04.2025

Job Description:

Role Description

The Cranfield Water Science Institute welcomes applications from passionate, skilled and motivated engineering, chemistry or environmental science graduates with a PhD in the field of water or wastewater treatment processes to join our drinking water team and contribute to investigating treatment strategies for PFAS removal from water.

About the Role

We are looking for a self-driven Research Fellow/Research Assistant to join our dynamic team to address the challenge of removing PFAS compounds, also known as forever chemicals, from drinking water. The successful candidate will investigate advanced and innovative treatment strategies to remove PFAS such as advanced oxidation processes, adsorption and ion exchange. The project will also explore the regeneration and reuse of PFAS-saturated adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins through thermal and chemical regeneration processes. This research is part of the recently-awarded OFWAT project.

You will play a pivotal role in a high-profile project of national relevance aimed at advancing our understanding of PFAS chemistry and treatability. You will use our facilities to deliver this innovative research. The outcomes of the project will inform national strategies for managing PFAS in drinking water and mitigate water quality risks. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional passionate about water processes, environmental engineering and science to deliver impactful research for the water sector.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant engineering or science discipline such as, but not limited to, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry or environmental science. The successful candidate will investigate advanced and innovative treatment strategies to remove PFAS such as advanced oxidation processes, adsorption and ion exchange. The project will also explore the regeneration and reuse of PFAS-saturated adsorbents such as activated carbon through thermal and chemical regeneration processes.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in:

• Experimental research related to water treatment processes, ideally, advanced oxidation processes, adsorption or ion exchange
• Working with PFAS or other micropollutants
• Advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS
• Statistical data analysis
• Working with pilot plants

You will have project management skills and demonstrable experience of timely research delivery, with excellent demonstrable communication skills. You will be able to demonstrate a track record of high-quality scientific publications. You should also have knowledge and experience of advanced oxidation processes such as UV-based processes, electrochemical processes or wet oxidation processes, adsorption processes with activated carbon, and/or ion exchange. Equivalent industry experience would be considered.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in water technology and management globally. We undertake globally leading research and post-graduate teaching in water and wastewater process science, engineering and management. We drive sustainable solutions to combat the multiple challenges being faced by our water resources, assets and services. Our academic and research staff, including scientists, engineers, technologists and policy specialists have engaged in delivering postgraduate teaching, research, consultancy and training in an international arena for over 40 years.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.