Research Fellow in Seawater Desalination

Role Description

We welcome applications from passionate, skilled and motivated engineering (or other relevant topics) graduates with a PhD in the field of water/wastewater treatment processes to join our team in the Cranfield Water Science Institute to contribute to this exciting project to support the development of seawater desalination in the UK.

About the Role

We are looking for a self-driven Research Fellow to join our dynamic team to support the development of seawater desalination in the UK. Indeed, the project aims to establish the most suitable treatment train(s) for seawater desalination and brine management for application in the East of England by Anglian Water.

You will be expected to deliver desk-based and experimental activities within particular a review of existing systems used elsewhere in the world, characterization of seawater from selected locations on the East coast of England for the future installation of full-scale plants and testing at lab and pilot -scales of treatment technologies (pre-treatment, reverse osmosis membranes, brine processing).

You will play a pivotal role in a high-profile project of national relevance aimed at advancing our understanding of seawater desalination within the British context and the outcomes will inform the funder’s strategy for the future. This is an exceptional opportunity for a candidate passionate about seawater desalination to deliver impactful research for the water sector.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant engineering or science discipline such as, but not limited to, chemical engineering or environmental engineering. You should also have knowledge and experience of relevant technologies for seawater desalination and/or brine management. You will have project management skills and demonstrable experience of timely research delivery, with excellent demonstrable communication skills. Finally, you will be able to demonstrate a track record of high-quality scientific publications.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in:

-        Experimental research related to seawater desalination

-        Analytical techniques for water analysis

-        Designing and operating experimental set ups

-        Working with pilot plants

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The Water Science Institute undertakes globally leading research and post-graduate teaching in water and wastewater process science, engineering and management. We drive sustainable solutions to combat the multiple challenges being faced by our water resources, assets and services. We have a track record of delivering collaborative cutting-edge discovery science on the transformation, removal and recovery processes in water and wastewater treatment systems. Our academic and research staff, including scientists, engineers, technologists and policy specialists have engaged in delivering postgraduate teaching, research, consultancy and training in an international arena for over 40 years.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                   

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Marc Pidou, Senior Lecturer in Resource Recovery, on (E): m.pidou@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5047.

Closing date for receipt of applications:   22 April 2025

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.