Job reference: SAE-029880
Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum, depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemical Engineering
Hours Per Week: Full Time
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 16/10/2025
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

Job Description

The overall project focus is to develop and apply a multiscale kinetic modelling framework for heterogeneous catalysis in porous materials, combining atomic-scale simulations, mesoscale modelling, and reactor-level analysis. The main purpose of this role is to provide experimental results to support and validate these computational models. Candidates should be close to completing or already hold a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline, with expertise in experimental heterogeneous catalysis, porous materials, NMR spectroscopy and/or kinetic modelling. The successful applicant will work closely with partners, regularly communicate findings, and contribute to joint publications, creating new opportunities to guide catalyst development for sustainable manufacturing processes. The overall project focus is to develop and apply a multiscale kinetic modelling framework for heterogeneous catalysis in porous materials, combining atomic-scale simulations, mesoscale modelling, and reactor-level analysis. The main purpose of this role is to provide experimental results to support and validate these computational models. Candidates should be close to completing or already hold a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline, with expertise in experimental heterogeneous catalysis, porous materials, NMR spectroscopy and/or kinetic modelling. The successful applicant will work closely with partners, regularly communicate findings, and contribute to joint publications, creating new opportunities to guide catalyst development for sustainable manufacturing processes.

The project team combines strengths in computational modelling, molecular simulations, experimental catalysis, and process design to achieve high-efficiency conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals. The advertised position will lead catalyst synthesis and small-scale experimental studies, preparing materials and delivering high-quality validation data. Working closely with the simulation teams at the University of Oxford and University of Oklahoma, and multiple industrial partners, this position ensures that theoretical models are robustly tested against real catalytic behaviours, advancing sustainable solutions for biomass utilisation.

What you will get in return:

  • Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
  • Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
  • Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
  • Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
  • Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Xiaolei Fan

Email: Xiaolei.fan@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

Take a look around the company https://www.manchester.ac.uk/