Research Associate

About the Project

SAFER PLUS is a £1.25 million Innovate UK-funded project developing Pakistan's first full-scale plant for converting agricultural waste cotton stalks and sugarcane bagasse into engineered bio-coal pellets through torrefaction. The bio-coal directly replaces imported fossil coal in textile mill boilers and brick kilns at 40–50% lower cost, with substantially reduced emissions. The demonstration hub is being established at the University of Kamalia, South Punjab, in partnership with Eco Research Limited and Pakistani textile industry partners.

Northumbria University is now recruiting two Research Associates to join the SAFER PLUS team. These are distinct but complementary roles, and candidates should clearly indicate in their application which post they are applying for.

Post 1: Research Associate in Thermochemical Conversion and Biomass Processing

The Role

You will lead the scientific characterisation and optimisation of the torrefaction process for Pakistani agricultural waste feedstocks. Working directly with the Principal Investigator, you will design and conduct experiments, produce validated fuel quality data, and generate the technical evidence base that underpins SAFER PLUS's commercial and regulatory case.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at multiple heating rates to characterise cotton stalk and sugarcane bagasse pyrolysis and torrefaction kinetics
• Develop and validate kinetic and thermodynamic models for the torrefaction process under industrially relevant conditions
• Characterise feedstocks and bio-coal products using XRD, FTIR, BET surface area analysis, SEM-EDS and proximate/ultimate analysis
• Determine gross calorific value (GCV), moisture, ash, volatile matter and sulphur content of bio-coal products under varying process conditions
• Investigate the effect of feedstock blend, moisture content, torrefaction temperature and residence time on bio-coal quality and consistency
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and project reports
• Support knowledge transfer activities with the University of Kamalia and industrial partners in Pakistan

Essential Requirements

• MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Energy Engineering or a closely related discipline (or equivalent research experience)
• Demonstrated experience in thermochemical conversion of biomass, specifically pyrolysis, torrefaction or gasification
• Proficiency in TGA, kinetic modelling and thermodynamic analysis
• Experience with materials characterisation techniques including FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS or BET
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage
• Ability to work independently and manage experimental programmes
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with agricultural residue feedstocks particularly cotton stalk, sugarcane bagasse or wheat straw
• Familiarity with Pakistani or South Asian agricultural and industrial contexts
• Experience with proximate and ultimate fuel analysis for industrial applications
• Knowledge of cement, textile or brick kiln combustion requirements