Research Fellow in Process Systems for Sustainable Packaging

Do you have a strong interest in eliminating single-use plastic packaging? Do you have experience in Process Systems Engineering and Sustainability? Are you keen to develop your career in optimising novel material supply chains?   

Achieving a sustainable and net zero ambition for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) packaging is a massive industry-wide challenge. The biggest contributor to FMCG plastic waste footprint are products within single-use, single-dose flexible packaging. Today, there is no formal or informal collection infrastructure for these environmentally persistent formats, leading to very high levels of littering, with the rest ending up in landfills. 

In this project, you will develop mathematical models and optimisation protocols to improve our understanding of machinability and viability during large-scale deployment of novel sustainable packaging. This will involve mapping the materials resource supply chain across geopolitical boundaries, integrating novel manufacturing methods into an intensified process flowsheet, developing life cycle sustainability assessments through multiple decision criteria and evaluating supply chain uncertainties aligned to FMCG packaging.

This project is funded via the UKRI EPSRC early-stage Prosperity Partnership across Imperial College, the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester and an international FMCG company, to address the critical issues of the lack of a truly sustainable packaging alternative.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr. Keeran Ward, Lecturer in Chemical Engineering

Email: K.R.Ward@leeds.ac.uk

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa. 

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary. Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

Closing Date: 13 Apr 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £39,355 to £46,735 p.a. Due to funding restrictions, an appointment will not be made higher than £40,497 p.a.