Research Associate in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Tyre Recycling Processes

Purpose of Role

The are recruiting a postdoctoral research associate to work on the design and prospective life cycle analysis of novel rubber tyre recycling processes. This is an exciting role for very high-performing environmental life cycle researchers that wish to work on the complexities of predicting the future environmental footprint of very early-stage tyre recycling processes.

The role is part of the EPSRC sponsored tyre to tyre project, where Heriot Watt develops new technology to go from used rubber tyre crumbs straight to new solid tyre precursors. We do this via mechanochemical functionalisation of the used rubber crumb, that activates the used rubber and prepares it to feed straight into tyre manufacturing processes. The project is highly interdisciplinary, and includes chemistry and reactor design and testing, process design and life cycle environmental impact evaluation, process upscaling, and innovation, market, and policy analysis. We work with many industrial partners, including recycling and waste collection companies and multinational tyre manufacturers.

The postholder will develop and optimise process designs for the new tyre recycling process, and evaluate different designs using life cycle environmental performance principles. This involves chemical engineering process design (taking inputs from the reactor design and from the upscaling studies) and life cycle assessment. A key element of the work involves the prospective life cycle assessment, that aims to investigate the environmental performance of different process designs in selected future scenarios, including net-zero scenarios – in line with EPSRC’s ambitions towards achieving the UK governments net-zero goals.

The Research Centre for Carbon Solutions offers a very ambitious yet pleasant and collegial working environment. We strive to set the standards in technology development, scale up, and evaluation, instead of following existing practices. We have and offer strong exposure to relevant research, industry, and policy communities, providing a good springboard for early career researchers desiring to kickstart their scientific career.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

The ideal candidate has a first degree in chemical, process, or environmental engineering or similar, and a PhD (or soon to finalise their PhD or substantial professional experience) with a strong LCA element. You will have worked on evaluating emerging technologies for decarbonisation or circular economies. A good command of typical LCA software (e.g., SimaPro, Gabi) is expected, with good command of research level LCA software (Brightway) beneficial. Furthermore, very strong analytical and conceptual skills are expected, as well as leadership in research design and delivery.

Essential

• A first degree in chemical, process, environmental engineering or similar
• A (near) complete PhD or substantial work experience with a strong LCA component
• Experience working on evaluation of early stage/emerging decarbonisation and/or recycling technologies
• Proven leadership in research design and execution
• Evidence of successfully working in interdisciplinary teams
• Good command of commercial LCA software, e.g., Simapro, Gabi
• A strong publication record commensurate to career level

Desirable

• Experience with research level LCA software (Brightway)
• Experience with prospective LCA (e.g., Premise)
• Experience with programming/coding, or desire to develop this
• Experience with computer aided process design (e.g., Aspen Plus, Hysys)
• Strong communication and project management skills