Summary
The University of Nottingham is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position as part of an exciting multidisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry (including Croda Ltd and the University of York). The project aims to pioneer sustainable routes toward the synthesis, characterization, and commercial scale-up of novel biodegradable polymers derived from renewable monomers, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of Polymer Liquid Formulations (PLFs) used in everyday personal care products.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Biodegradable Polymer Synthesis and Upscaling
Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Designation | Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
| Reference Number | ENG1901026 |
| Department / Faculty | Chemical & Environmental Engineering / Faculty of Engineering |
| Location | University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK |
| Contract Type | Full-time (36.25 hours/week), Fixed-term for 18 months |
| Salary | £34,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience) |
| Closing Date | Friday, 04 September 2026 |
Research Area
- Field: Chemical & Environmental Engineering / Polymer Chemistry & Sustainable Materials.
- Focus: Synthesis, reaction engineering, and upscaling of next-generation biodegradable polymers from renewable building blocks to replace persistent polymers in liquid formulations (e.g., soaps and shampoos).
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Academic Background: Candidates must hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Skills & Experience:
- Demonstrated track record and expertise in polymer synthesis and chemical characterization.
- Experience with reaction scale-up or working across multidisciplinary/industrial collaborative projects is highly desirable.
- Strong communication and presentation skills for reporting research findings at internal and external project meetings.
Job Description
- Conduct targeted research into a novel class of biodegradable polymers developed in partnership with Croda Ltd and the University of Nottingham.
- Synthesize and optimize functional materials utilizing new renewable monomers developed by partner researchers at the University of York.
- Collaborate with industrial partners and participate in polymer scale-up processes within Croda’s commercial laboratory environments.
- Work closely with the supervisory team spanning Engineering (Prof. Derek Irvine), Chemistry (Dr. Vincenzo Taresco), and Industry (Daniel Day at Croda Ltd).
- Disseminate findings through high-impact publications, project reports, and academic/industry conferences.
How to Apply
- Visit the official University of Nottingham job vacancy portal for reference ENG1901026: jobs.nottingham.ac.uk.
- Click the “Apply Online” button to register/log in and submit your online application, including your CV and supporting documents.
- Informal Enquiries: You may reach out to Prof. Derek Irvine (
Derek.Irvine@nottingham.ac.uk) or Dr. Vincenzo Taresco (Vincenzo.Taresco@nottingham.ac.uk). (Note: Applications sent directly via email will not be accepted).
Last Date to Apply
- Friday, 04 September 2026
