Research Associate in Chemical Recycling of PET

at  Imperial College London

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the post is available in the job description.
Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Magda Titirici (m.titirici @imperial.ac.uk).

AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS

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• Download: Job Description Research Associate.Pdf

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
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ABOUT THE ROLE

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate to join a to join a project on the chemical recycling of PET. This project presents a unique opportunity to contribute to global environmental sustainability by developing innovative methods for PET recycling, thereby addressing the significant challenge of plastic waste.
PET is widely used in the production of plastic bottles, packaging materials, and synthetic fibers due to its excellent properties such as strength, transparency, and chemical resistance. However, the extensive use of PET has resulted in significant environmental pollution, as it is non-biodegradable and persists in the environment for hundreds of years. Traditional recycling methods often downcycle PET, leading to lower quality products. Depolymerisation offers a promising solution by breaking PET down into its original monomers, which can be repolymerized into high-quality PET or other valuable products, thus contributing to a circular economy.

WHAT YOU WOULD BE DOING

The successful applicant will be expected to design and conduct experiments to investigate various depolymerisation methods for PET, optimizing key parameters such as temperature, pressure, catalyst types, reaction time, and solvent selection. They will prototype and test new processes, ensuring the scalability and efficiency of the developed methods. Effective project management will be crucial, as the candidate will oversee timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring that project milestones are met. Additionally, the applicant will engage in commercialisation activities, including evaluating the market potential of the developed technologies, preparing detailed reports, and contributing to scientific publications and patents. Collaboration with other team members and stakeholders will be essential to integrate findings and advance the project toward practical, market-ready solutions.