Research Fellow – Hydrogen production with membraneless electrolysers

About us

UCL Department of Chemical Engineering is one of the top research and teaching departments in the UK and has world-class standing. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and has an extensive research portfolio across a wealth of areas, and from molecular scale to complex systems.

About the role

The main purpose of the role is to conduct theoretical/computational research and some experimental work, which focuses on the modelling (Comsol, Openfoam software) of nature-inspired electrodes for water electrolysers and their synthesis and characterisation.
The ideal candidate is expected to collaborate with other researchers within the CNIE and TotalEnergies, to extend the impact of the research also to other problems related to electrochemical devices and their sustainable development.

The duties and responsibilities of the role include:

• To write reports, including intermediate reports for TOTALEnergies, and produce high-quality research publications, and present at conferences and other professional meetings.
• To contribute to, or lead the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals, including Fellowship applications.
• To contribute to the induction, direction and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as requested.
• To collaborate with colleagues in the CNIE, the Department for Chemical Engineering, TotalEnergies, and beyond.
• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and Department, as required. The post holder will actively follow UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities policies and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
• To maintain an awareness and observation of fire and health & safety regulations.

Salary is grade 7 spine point 29, £39,508 per annum inclusive of London Allowance. Appointment at Grade 7.29 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £35,702- £37,548 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

The position is available for 18 months from the date of recruitment.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

About you

The key characteristics of the ideal candidate are:

• PhD in chemical or mechanical engineering, materials science, physical sciences or related.
• Experience in programming and analytical experience for theoreticians and in experimentation and analysis (chemistry, materials, physics and/or reacting systems) for principally experimentalists.
• Experience of working in a research environment.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working, including initiating research with a complementary technique.
• Experience in electrocatalysis and electrochemical reaction engineering. Demonstrated creativity and intellectual depth. Demonstrated strong research, theoretical and/or experimental skills.
• First authorship for several articles in high-impact journals.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
On-Site nursery
On-site gym
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our long-term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality.