Technology Translator (Research Associate) in Polymer Synthesis (Fixed Term)

Join the innovation leaders in clean growth in the UK and internationally, in our new cross-institutional Innovation Centre working in bio-based feedstocks, sustainable chemical production systems and sustainable engineering materials and plastics.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a keen interest in translational research in the area of monomer and polymer synthesis, catalysis and characterisation.

Working with the Universities of Bath and Oxford and its core partners - the High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s National Composites Centre (NCC) and Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic partnership of over 45 spin-outs, high growth SMEs and multinational corporates to deliver sustainable and circular chemical process-based research and innovation projects.

The iCAST Technology Translators' role offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a large vibrant inter-disciplinary team responsible for delivering the technical elements of the iCAST innovation programme with partners, end users and customers.

Specifically, you will be engaged in delivering various Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) – short proof of principle and feasibility studies - in the area of monomer and polymer synthesis, catalysis and characterisation. JIPs will be developed and delivered in collaboration with iCAST industrial partners and will mainly be in the following technical areas:

• Renewable and Bio-based Feedstocks (for commodity and high value chemicals)
• Circular Plastics and Sustainable Polymers (degradability, recycling, non-fossil feedstocks)

This role requires excellent technical, organisational and presentation skills as well as the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary environment.

About us

The £17M Innovation Centre for Applied and Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) is a new, unique innovation facility hosted by the Institute for Sustainability (IfS) at Bath. Its purpose is to kick-start a step-change in the UK industrial strategy for translating sustainable chemical technologies into clean growth. Its ambition is to be the go-to place for companies working on clean growth technologies to easily invest in R&D and to partner with critical mass academic strength to enable them to scaleup, deliver innovation commercially and deliver economic impact, build supply chains, jobs and green growth in the UK and overseas.

Further information

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected end date of 01/06/2024.

For informal discussions about the role please contact Antoine Burchard (apb46@bath.ac.uk) or Francesca Guiso Gallisai (fgg20@bath.ac.uk)

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

We aim to be an inclusive 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 our teams.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

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