Research Associate (Bioenergy Supergen Hub) - Fixed Term Contract (CT5053)

The Supergen Bioenergy Hub is EPSRC funded and links academia and industry. The University of Bath is one of the core members and has been funded as part of a one year extension to the initial five year project, and we are seeking a researcher for 11-12 months. The aim of this extension is proposal is to extend existing knowledge of biomass thermochemical conversion to feedstocks with more challenging properties to widen the available UK biomass supply. We will do this by focusing on a single biomass value chain: "growth of energy crops on contaminated land and utilization in different conversion technologies to deliver diverse energy vectors."   This gives the opportunity to carry out more extensive, in-depth research and consolidate research relationships, while delivering contributions to scientific knowledge that are applicable to a wide range of potential UK value chains. The University of Bath is responsible for the 4th Work Package, focusing on vectors, and we are also involved with WP 5 – systems and environmental analysis. As part of this the successful applicant will use LCA and whole system analysis to explore the impacts of a range of conversion options and land remediation impacts. The applicant will work in conjunction with all the other Hub members that are part of this project in order to help consolidate and analyse information.

The main vectors from bioenergy are electricity, heat and biofuels.  WP4 will focus on an assessment of the impact of the contaminants on the more challenging vectors: substitute gas, hydrogen, aviation fuels and other biomaterials that may be produced in order to enhance overall system performance.  The successful applicant will evaluate the potential impact of the waste contaminants on the proposed systems and evaluate the efficiency, resource and environmental impact consequences.

Recovery of materials could also have a significant impact on environmental sustainability and economic viability.  Therefore, the applicant will carry out a review of which resources could be feasibly recovered, available methods and potential value.  This will add to understanding of what are the most interesting/likely/feasible products from contaminated biomass in a bio refinery configuration.

The successful applicant will be part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Sustainable Energy Research Team as well as the Supergen Hub. The applicant will have a relevant engineering or science degree, with post graduate experience in bioenergy and environmental assessment. 

This post is full time (36.5 hours per week) and is being offered on a fixed term contract basis, with an anticipated duration of up to 11 months.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Dr Marcelle McManus on 01225 383877 or via e-mail m.mcmanus@bath.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 23 Jul 2017
Type: Education & Research