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ABOUT THE ROLE

In collaboration with EPSRC, Imperial and the world’s leading Chemical Engineering Company, we are seeking a Research Associate to join the Innovative Continuous Manufacturing of Industrial Chemicals (IConIC) consortium. The main aim of this Prosperity Partnership is to translate the UK’s scientific leadership in Flow Chemistry into industrial leadership and commercial value; to realise a step change in the implementation of continuous flow processing for the manufacture of high-value chemicals.
The global chemicals industry currently embeds ~450 MT of carbon (C) in its products (the majority from fossil feedstocks) compared to ~37 GT C emitted worldwide as CO2. Captured CO2 can be split into CO and O2 using electrically-driven plasmas, which are well-suited to the intermittent availability of renewable energy (e.g. wind and solar). In this project you will investigate experimentally the production of high purity CO by the dissociation of CO2 (with realistic impurities) in a microwave-assisted plasma, focusing on reaction engineering, process safety, and the challenging separation of O2 from CO.

WHAT YOU WOULD BE DOING

Main Duties:

• Set up and run existing benchtop microwave plasma apparatus and gas analysers, in order to investigate CO2 conversion efficiency.
• Design and implement modifications to the reaction zone, with the aim of improving CO2 conversion efficiency.
• Identify and develop suitable techniques for the separation of CO and O2, design and build new experimental apparatus, and use it to measure and improve separation efficiency.
• Make recommendations for scaleup, ensuring process safety.
• Assist in the installation and commissioning of a pilot scale microwave plasma system (with addition of downstream gas separation as a potential future project extension).
• Prepare detailed risk assessments and safe operating procedures for all lab activities.
• Maintain a highly organised and accurate record of experimental work.
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times.
• Analyse data with reference to relevant theory.
• Conduct and plan your own scientific work with appropriate supervision.
• Take initiatives in the planning of research.
• Publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings.
• Write reports for submission to research sponsors.
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required.
• Participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars.
• Actively participate in the broader research programme of the Group.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, technicians and students within the laboratories.
• Contribute to bids for research grants.
• Develop contacts within the College and the wider community.
• Collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate.
• Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College.

Other Duties:

• To undertake any necessary training and/or development.
• To undertake appropriate administration tasks.
• To attend relevant meetings.