Research Assistant/Associate in Sustainable Sludge Valorisation Technology - Job Opportunity at Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Fixed-term Contract
Mid-level
Posted: March 30, 2025
On-site
GBP 32,546-45,413 per year

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme
Generous holiday package with buy-more option
Health and wellbeing initiatives
Academic development opportunities
Access to research facilities

Key Responsibilities

Lead development of carbon-neutral sludge treatment processes
Design and optimize hydrothermal carbonisation technology
Develop predictive models for dynamic process operations
Conduct techno-environmental-economic assessments
Collaborate with industrial partners
Present research at international conferences
Supervise PhD and MEng students
Publish peer-reviewed research
Manage laboratory operations

Requirements

Education

PhD (or near completion) in chemical engineering, environmental engineering or related subject

Experience

Research experience in computational fluid dynamics and process optimization

Required Skills

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling ANSYS-FLUENT/OpenFOAM expertise MATLAB/Python programming Aspen-Plus simulation Process optimization Technical writing Laboratory skills
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The waste management sector is experiencing rapid transformation driven by circular economy initiatives and stricter environmental regulations. Hydrothermal carbonization technology is emerging as a key solution for sustainable waste treatment, with growing investment in research and development. There is increasing focus on resource recovery from waste streams, particularly in recovering valuable materials and clean water from sludge processing.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of GBP 32,546-45,413 is competitive for academic research positions in the UK, particularly for roles involving specialized technical expertise in sustainable technology development.

Role Significance

Typical research group structure with 3-5 team members, including PhD students and senior academics
Mid-level research position with significant project ownership and potential for independent research direction

Key Projects

Development of novel sludge treatment processes Industrial-scale process optimization studies Environmental impact assessment of waste treatment technologies Economic viability analysis of resource recovery systems

Success Factors

Strong background in computational modeling and simulation Ability to bridge theoretical research with practical industrial applications Excellent project management and stakeholder communication skills Publication track record in high-impact journals

Market Demand

High demand for specialists in sustainable waste treatment technology, driven by environmental regulations and industry's shift towards circular economy models

Important Skills

Critical Skills

CFD modeling expertise is essential for process optimization and scale-up Programming skills enable development of custom simulation tools Technical writing abilities support research dissemination and funding applications

Beneficial Skills

Experience with high-performance computing Knowledge of thermodynamics in reacting systems Social media communication skills for research dissemination

Unique Aspects

Direct industry collaboration through prosperity partnership
Multi-disciplinary research combining chemical and civil engineering
Focus on cutting-edge sustainable technology development
Access to high-performance computing facilities

Career Growth

2-3 years in current role with potential for advancement based on research output and funding success

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Fellow Principal Investigator Industrial R&D Manager Environmental Technology Consultant

Company Overview

Newcastle University

Newcastle University is a leading UK research institution with strong industry partnerships and international recognition in environmental engineering

Top-tier research university with significant influence in sustainable technology development
Major employer in Northeast England with strong connections to regional industry
Collaborative academic environment with emphasis on research excellence and industrial partnerships
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