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Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

 

Carbon capture technologies

Current vacancies and studentships - Fri, 05/05/2023 - 00:00

This studentship is available for those with Home fee status. Applicants will need to have obtained a first, or upper second class, honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant undergraduate course. Fields such as molecular biology/synthetic biology are desireable, along with interests and experience. Applicants could come from a biochemistry/biology/biotechnology background.

Carbon capture technologies can contribute to a reduction of atmospheric CO2 and use excess energy produced by intermittent sources but produce a limited set of simple carbon-containing compounds such as methanol and formic acid. Enzymes such as alcohol oxidase and formolase can be used to further transform these and manufacture more complex and valuable carbon-containing molecules, but these enzymatic processes require engineering and optimization. Cell-free protein synthesis is an attractive technology for both rapid prototyping of metabolic processes and for enzyme engineering, as it is fast and bypasses potential interfering cellular processes.

The aims of this project are to use cell-free protein synthesis to make, test and engineer enzymes for upgrading one-carbon compounds from carbon capture such as methanol into useful molecules, then to work with collaborators to integrate these enzymes into bioreactors. The project (1 year MRes and 3 years PhD) will take place at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies for a healthy and sustainable future. It is a collaboration between two University of Cambridge Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) groups directed by Ljiljana Fruk and Jenny Molloy, and Hitachi Europe. The project will take place in labs in CEB and in the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory and will also involve collaboration with the Hitachi Center for Exploratory Research in Tokyo.

The project will involve production and use of cell-free extract for enzyme production, molecular biology and DNA cloning techniques, optimization of enzymatic reactions, and use of analytical techniques to characterize the reactions. It will also involve use and development of protein engineering methods to improve the enzymes of interest.

Overall, this research will contribute to the development of sustainable methods for using carbon capture products and towards the replacement of fossil-fuel sourced carbon by captured CO2.

To apply for this studentship, applicants must submit a formal application for admission: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/how-do-i-apply noting NQ36604 in the research proposal field.

Please quote reference NQ36604 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

PA/Secretary (Part Time, Fixed Term)

Current vacancies and studentships - Wed, 03/05/2023 - 00:00

A position is open for a PA/secretary to support Prof. Róisín Owens and the Bioelectronic Systems Technology Group (https://www.ceb.cam.ac.uk/research/groups/best) based in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology. The group's research focuses on the development of organ on chip models with integrated electronic devices. A particular interest is the effect of the microbiome on the gut-brain-axis. The group is committed to using in vitro models in an attempt to minimise unnecessary research on animals.

The group is led by Prof. Owens and consists of 15-20 researchers, including post-doctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students and visiting researchers with a variety of backgrounds. This is an inclusive and diverse group driving a number of active outreach and widening participation activities. The group has multiple multidisciplinary and collaborative projects and state-of-the-art laboratories.

The role holder would provide PA support to Prof. Owens and related aspects of the group operations in order to ensure efficient management of her time, ensuring she and the group are best placed to achieve their scientific and educational goals. The successful candidate will have HND, HNC, level 4/5 vocational qualification or equivalent level of practical experience. Previous PA/secretarial experience will be advantageous. You will be responsible for diary management, e-mails, extensive travel arrangements, group events (e.g. seminars, group meetings, focus meetings, project meetings, social events), note taking at meetings and planning action items resulting from meetings. Finance administration will be an important part of the job. This involves keeping an overview of research grant spending, doing ordering and preparing draft budgets for research grants. An additional duty will be maintaining the health and safety documents for the research group, ensuring they are kept up to date, and alerting group members when they need to be updated or reviewed. Management of our webpage and social media will also be under your responsibility.

You must be able to prioritise work and work well under pressure, meeting tight deadlines. You should be highly competent in Microsoft, with excellent command of excel spreadsheets, teams, word etc. The use of project management software is a plus. Excellent organisational, communications and interpersonal skills are essential. More information about the role is available on the Further Particulars attached. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance. Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

This role is part-time (50% FTE) and we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for flexible working arrangements. Closing date for applications is 21st May 2023.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Prof Róisín Owens at rmo37@cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

If you have any queries regarding the post or the application process please contact Alessandra Uomo, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference NQ36384 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Finance Coordinator

Current vacancies and studentships - Thu, 27/04/2023 - 00:00

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is seeking to recruit a dedicated, versatile and proactive Finance Co-ordinator. This is an exciting position which will support the Finance Manager in providing specialist financial administration, reporting and grant-costing services to research and academic staff across the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

The ideal candidate will have relevant practical experience of finance planning and analysis work within an Accounts setting. You will have the ability to prioritise work, maintain accuracy, excellent analytical skills, organisation skills and attention to detail and work to tight deadlines. You will have excellent Accounting skills including competence in IT packages such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

You will be expected to:

¿ Manage and monitor grant expenditure against budgets ¿ Raise complex research grant applications via the University's costing tool ¿ Carry out Accounts Payable and purchasing duties including approval of supplier invoices, receiving requisitions from staff and students and placing orders on iProcurement. ¿ Carry out Accounts Receivable duties including raising any customer invoices, credit notes and resolving queries ¿ Month end procedures ¿ Process student and non-staff expense claims ¿ Perform payroll duties for casual employees and workers in the department ¿ Support the training of new members of the team on University finance systems and in all Accounts processes. ¿ Deputising for Departmental Finance Manager in their absence ¿ Occasional cover for running of Stores and taking delivery of goods.

To be considered for this position, you must: ¿ Have experience of finance planning and analysis work with an Accounts setting. ¿ Be educated to 'A' level standard or equivalent. AAT qualification would be an advantage ¿ Possess excellent knowledge and understanding of financial procedures, preferably in a higher education environment. ¿ Have excellent IT skills. High level of competence in interpretation and manipulation in excel for financial reporting. A high level competence in Oracle Finance systems would be an advantage. ¿ Have excellent analytical and organisational skills, with excellent attention to detail. ¿ Have good interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate clearly with staff at different levels on financial matters. ¿ Have a flexible approach with a willingness to take on additional accounts duties as required.

Benefits of working at University of Cambridge include: ¿ Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost of living increases; ¿ Generous annual leave allowance of 36 days paid leave inclusive of bank holidays for full time employees, pro rata'd for part time employees; ¿ Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries and salary exchange schemes for childcare); ¿ An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution; ¿ Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores;

If you have queries regarding the application process please contact Karen Langford, HR Manager, email: hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk The closing date for applications is Sunday 14 May 2023

Interviews will take place on Friday 19 May 2023

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries on the role can be made to Womba Lagrue, Finance Manager, email: wl420@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference NQ36492 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advanced magnetic resonance in sustainable reaction engineering

Current vacancies and studentships - Fri, 21/04/2023 - 00:00

Applications are invited for 3.5-year fully funded PhD studentships to be held in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Cambridge.

The Magnetic Resonance Research Centre based in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has two fully funded PhD studentships available starting October 2023. These studentships will use advanced magnetic resonance techniques to further our understanding of transport and reaction in porous media. These projects will include the development of novel magnetic resonance techniques to enable unique insights into applications of industrial relevance.

Specific research areas include: 1) Understanding heterogeneous catalytic reactions used for the production of sustainable transportation fuels. 2) Assessing the integrity and long term viability of subsurface storage media for carbon dioxide storage. 3) Advanced NMR and MRI technique development to tackle the challenges associated with measurement in the applied engineering systems in 1) and 2) above. This will also include accelerating imaging speed and improving image resolution and fidelity using non-linear acquisition and reconstruction techniques.

Interested candidates are encouraged to read our recent publications such as those that may be found in the following links https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-023-00913-8 (preprint) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009250921007946

We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals capable of thinking and working independently. Applicants should have, or shortly expect to obtain, a first or high second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university (please see https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/international-qualifications for information on non-UK degrees), in a relevant subject such as Chemistry, Biology, Engineering or a related discipline. This position is open to both UK citizens or overseas students. Full funding covering maintenance and the University composition fee is provided for these studentships, with effect from 1 October 2023. Information on the Application Process for our PhD programme, along with further information on entry requirements and a link to the on-line application, is available via the University's Course Directory: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egcepdcng/apply

To be considered for this studentship, applicants must submit a formal application for admission along with all required supporting documents (please see above link). Applicants must note Prof Lynn Gladden as the prospective supervisor and that you wish to be considered for studentship NQ36409 in the research proposal field of the application. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 14th May 2023 and interviews will take place in late May 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the deadline for a remote interview.

As a graduate student at Cambridge, you will have access to a wide range of training opportunities and benefit from close supervision provided by a primary and secondary PhD supervisor as well as a personal mentor.

Please quote reference NQ36409 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Flavin-nanozyme Design for Improvement of Enzymatic CO2 Upcycling Pathways

Current vacancies and studentships - Wed, 19/04/2023 - 00:00

This is a 1+3 year (1 year MRes+ 3 year PhD studentship opportunity for those who qualify for the Home Fee (https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status#layer-6082) rate within the EPSRC Sensor CDT Cambridge in collaboration with Dr. Ljiljana Fruk and Hitachi starting in October 2023.

The 3 year PhD project will comprise of design of organic and inorganic hybrids of flavin to design library of artificial enzymes to aid useful chemical conversions within cell-free enzymatic upcycling systems of CO2. There is also an element of sensing as assays and sensing strategies will be needed to be developed to assess the efficiency of artificial enzymes. The work will be done in the Fruk lab at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and in close collaboration with Hitachi Lab Cambridge under the co-supervision of Dr. Willam Rostain. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated student eager to work in the interdisciplinary field of nano-bio technology, with interest in enzyme technology and use of enzyme for sustainable manufacturing of high value chemicals. A background in chemistry and biochemistry is desirable.

You will need to have obtained a first, or high upper second class, honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant undergraduate course. If your degree(s) was taken outside of the UK, please consult the International Equivalencies: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/international-qualifications.

To apply for this studentship, you must submit a formal application for admission: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egcepdsta Please note Prof L Fruk as the prospective supervisor and Vacancy Reference Number NQ36361 in the Research Proposal field.

More information is available here: https://cdt.sensors.cam.ac.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years and are at home fees level only.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this post as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

Closing date for applications is 1st May 2023. Interviews will be held soon after the closing date.

If you have any queries regarding the studentship, please contact Dr. Adriana Wolf, Sensor CDT Program Manager and MRes Director, at admin@sensors.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference NQ36361 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

PhD in NMR relaxometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Current vacancies and studentships - Wed, 19/04/2023 - 00:00

Characterisation of Green Hydrogen Materials Through Fast-field Cycling NMR and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Applications are invited for 3.5-year full funded PhD studentship based in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Cambridge and Johnson Matthey (JM) PLC. Previous projects on NMR relaxometry in collaboration between JM and the Magnetic Resonance Research Centre at the University of Cambridge have demonstrated successful application of NMR relaxation measurements to porous materials of industrial relevance to JM. This proposed project will investigate how the range of low-field magnetic resonance techniques can be expanded, using Fast Field Cycling (FFC) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), to understand mass transport in catalyst coated membrane (CCM) materials for electrolytic hydrogen. Effective and reliable characterisation of CCMs is a key challenge in green Hydrogen Technologies.

Project Description

Key questions and priorities that this project will address are:

  • How can NMR relaxometry inform our understanding of water environments and dynamics in ionomer membranes?
  • How sensitive is the technique to differences in the membrane structure, both in different materials and as a membrane ages/degrades?
  • How does the addition of a catalyst layer affect the behaviour of water in the system and the ability of NMR relaxometry to characterise the material?
  • What information can EPR provide on the iridium oxide-based catalyst as a powder, ink formulation, and CCM?
  • Do these measurements correlate with physical and electrochemical performance or with data from other characterisation techniques?
  • Does low-field NMR/EPR offer a practical method for rapid, routine characterisation suitable for at-line quality control in a production environment?

To address these questions, you will work across the range of techniques available in the Magnetic Resonance laboratories in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to spend a proportion of their time (around three months over the duration of the project) at JM sites including both in R&D and manufacturing facilities to gain an understanding of the business and to aid in the transfer of technology and understanding to JM. Strong organisational and communication skills are therefore essential to successful completion of the project.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual capable of thinking and working independently. Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or high second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as Chemistry, Biology, Engineering or a related discipline. This position is open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with overseas student fees. (Note for Overseas Fee Rate applicants: Unfortunately, there is no additional funding available to cover the difference in fees.) Full details of the University's entrance requirements are specified on the following link: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/entry-requirements.

Funding

Full funding covering Maintenance and the Home Fees and is provided for the studentship, with effect from 1 October 2023.

Application Process

Information on our PhD programme, along with further information on entry requirements and a link to the on-line application, is available via the University's Course Directory: : https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egcepdcng?gl=1*iv0l7c*gaMTI0NTUyNzYwNS4xNjY3Mzg1MzA0gaP8Q1QT5W4K*MTY2NzM4NTMwNC4xLjEuMTY2NzM4NTU0NS4wLjAuMA

To be considered for this studentship, applicants must submit a formal application for admission to study our PhD in Chemical Engineering along with all required supporting documents (please see above link). Applicants must note Prof Lynn Gladden as the prospective supervisor and that you wish to be considered for studentship NQ36173in the application. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 29th April 2023. Interviews will take place in mid-late May 2023.

Communications Manager

Current vacancies and studentships - Wed, 05/04/2023 - 00:00

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is looking for an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic Communications Manager, who will join and lead our Communications team, bringing excellent skills in channels management, content development and staff engagement. You will develop strong working relationships with colleagues in the Department, with a particular focus on understanding the work of its academics to support them in publicising their research. In addition, you will review and enhance the Department's wider marketing and communications activities with a range of external and internal stakeholders.

You will develop and implement an effective multi-channel communications strategy on behalf of the Department, in order to raise the profile and impact of research activity to diverse audiences and stakeholders. In implementing the Department's communications strategy, you will be supported by the Communications Coordinator, Marketing and Outreach Assistant, and Webmaster and Systems Developer. You will work closely together to achieve the Department's strategic objectives.

You will have experience of a broad range of communications disciplines, for example media relations, reputation management, and campaign planning, as well as experience of scientific writing; excellent planning, organisational and interpersonal skills; and the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. You will have a good understanding of social media tools and their application, as well as excellent editorial, proofreading and writing skills.

Please see the Further Particulars document below for additional information on the role responsibilities and person specification.

Benefits of working at University of Cambridge include:

  • Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost of living increases.
  • Generous annual leave allowance of 41 days paid leave inclusive of bank holidays for full time employees, pro rata'd for part time employees.
  • Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries and salary exchange schemes for childcare).
  • An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution.
  • Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores.
  • We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

    Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

    Applications will be rapidly reviewed after the closing date and interviews are anticipated to be conducted in person (where possible) w/c 8th May 2023.

    If you have any queries regarding the post or the application process please contact Alessandra Uomo, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

    Please quote reference NQ36164 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

    The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

    The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.