Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
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Department
WMG
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Position Type
Fixed Term
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Duration
Ending 31 December 2027
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Salary
£34,866 to £45,163 per annum
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About the Role
For informal enquiries, please contact Ton Peijs (Professor of Polymer Processes) at T.Peijs@warwick.ac.uk. WMG, a world-renowned department at the University of Warwick, is recruiting a Research Fellow to advance data-driven recycling technologies for plastics.
A critical challenge in plastic recycling is the variability in recyclate quality. Despite advancements in sorting systems, processors must manage fluctuations in processability and material properties due to the diverse grades within a single polymer family. Even in closed-loop recycling of a single polymer grade, properties can vary due to degradation. Upgrading recyclates by adding virgin polymer or specific additives can mitigate some of these effects, but the process is batch-dependent, complicating the production of high-quality recyclate.
As part of the EPSRC-funded PLASTIC project (Plastics Analysis, Sorting & Recycling Technologies Through Intelligent Classification), we aim to address these challenges. The project will leverage the rheological behaviour of recycled polymers to better understand their thermo-mechanical properties. By applying machine learning (ML) principles and in-line process monitoring during extrusion compounding, we will develop a digitally enabled recycling system. This system will predict recyclate processability and properties and optimize upgrading strategies for specific specifications.
You will work within the Centre for Polymer Composites (CPC) at WMG with leading, multidiscipline academics and industry experts for impactful research.to exploit innovation and research in the field of polymer recycling, and will develop and enhance the Department's reputation, both internally and external to the University.
You will publish research of international excellence and support the team's activities in industrial consultancy. You will provide input into the development of teaching content for various programmes within the team's remit, deliver specific modules and supervise research students to doctoral level.
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
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About You
We are seeking a highly qualified researcher with a PhD or EngD in Polymer Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline. The ideal candidate will have proven expertise in polymer processing and rheology, with a strong track record of understanding the relationship between the rheological behaviour of polymers, their processability, and their resulting properties. Some experience in AI/ML technologies will also be beneficial.
This role provides an exciting opportunity to engage in both independent and collaborative research. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to team efforts. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential to secure external funding through research grants, publish findings in high-impact journals, and expand their research portfolio.
Additionally, the role requires active participation in the administrative and reporting aspects of the project to ensure the timely delivery of objectives.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure . Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure .
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About the Department
WMG is the largest department at the University of Warwick with over 800 staff, world renowned for providing innovative solutions to industry through its research, development and education programmes. Our industry focussed education portfolio includes nearly 3,000 students studying management, technology and applied engineering subjects, at postgraduate and undergraduate level.
At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. We currently hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the University of Warwick holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognizes the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.
For further information about WMG, please visit our website. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/
Further information about the Centre for Polymers and Composites can be found here. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/research-areas/polymers
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About the University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We're one of the world's top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be 'world leading or internationally excellent'**.
You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.
*QS World University Rankings 2024
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
To find out more about us visit our website.
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How to Apply
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 26 January 2025 at 11.55pmTo apply, please click 'Apply' below and submit an application form by the closing date. Please plan for any potential delays as
you will not be able to submit an application past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 11.30pm).
Please attach a CV and cover letter.
- Your CV should include your most recent employment experience, any other relevant experience, and education history.
- Your cover letter must detail how you meet each of the essential criteria found in the Job Description document below (desirable criteria too, where possible).
Please see here for guidance on writing a cover letter. We
highly recommend using individual criteria as headers and giving examples below, though you are free to format the letter as you wish.
To streamline our hiring processes, we can only accept applications via our official website, warwick-careers.tal.net .
Interview Date: TBC
Start Date: TBC
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What we Offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here .
We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer .
If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.
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Our Commitment to Inclusion
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here .
The University currently holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award , Athena Swan Sliver Award and a Disability Smart Bronze Award . The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance .
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
In line with the DBS Code of Practice, the successful candidates for any roles involving regulated activity, will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. The University will take all necessary measures to ensure that any individual subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group specified (i.e. children and/or adults).
We expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders The University undertakes not to discriminate against anyone who makes a disclosure relating to a conviction. The information disclosed at application stage is only visible to the central DBS team (i.e. not recruiting managers) to ensure there is no bias during the shortlisting process.
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Job Description
JD Research Fellow (109926).pdf - 180KB Opens in a new window
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Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
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