Description

The Department of Engineering Science intends to appoint an Associate Professor of Engineering Science (Chemical Engineering and Engineering Biology) from 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will work at the Department of Engineering Science (Begbroke Science Park, OX5 1PF) and will be offered a Non-Tutorial Fellowship at Kellogg College under arrangements described in the Job Description. The combined University and College salary will be on a scale currently from £58,265 p.a. to £77,645 per annum plus additional benefits (see the Job Description for full details).  The appointment will be initially for five years at which point, upon completion of a successful review, the post-holder will be eligible for reappointment to the retiring age.

This post is part of the new strategic research programme Oxford EARTH (Equitable Access to sustainable Resources for a Thriving Habitat, further details in the job descripition).  The post will strengthen Departmental Chemical Engineering research by addressing key challenges in resource production, recovery, and circularization. Applications focused on research into sustainable separation, refinement, and recycling methods for critical metals and rare earths, bioprocessing and engineered biological applications in resources, or on hydrogen production, are particularly welcome. An educational or professional background in Chemical Engineering is essential for delivering undergraduate teaching aspects of the role, as well as a doctorate in Chemical Engineering or a cognate discipline, such as Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or Engineering Biology.

Applicants will be expected to augment existing Departmental capabilities with novel and complementary research activity. Once in post, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for and obtain external funding to develop and sustain an independent research programme, as well as to form links within the Department of Engineering Science, with other departments across the University of Oxford, and elsewhere.   

The successful candidate will be expected to take part in the teaching of undergraduate courses in the Department of Engineering Science, which may include lectures, taught classes, practical laboratories, and the supervision of undergraduate design and project work.  They will also provide guidance on academic progress and wellbeing to students in Kellogg College, where they will play a role in the governance of the college. They will also be expected to contribute to the department’s research portfolio in Chemical or Biochemical engineering, obtaining external funding to enable development of a new and independent research program.

Requirements

Qualifications and Research

• A doctorate in Chemical Engineering or a cognate discipline. (essential)
• Educational or professional background in Chemical Engineering (essential)
• An internationally recognised academic and research track record in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering or evidence of being on a trajectory to achieve this. (essential)
• A publication record that demonstrates impact within the field appropriate to your career stage, and accounting for career breaks or personal circumstances. (essential)
• The ability to develop and lead an independent programme of research, promote ethical and safe research practise, and attract and manage research funding (essential)
• Significant research potential in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering, evidenced by a written coherent research plan of a standard appropriate to the Department’s research standing. (essential)
• A research program or proposal that complements existing activities and is focussed on one or more of sustainable separation, refinement, and recycling methods for critical metals and rare earths, bioprocessing and engineered biological applications in resources, or on hydrogen production(desirable)
• Excellent track record of obtaining research grants. (desirable)
• Hold membership of the Institution of Chemical Engineers at Corporate level. (desirable)
• Experience of research collaborations at national and international level. (desirable)

Teaching

• Commitment to teaching and ability to educate and inspire high-achieving undergraduate students from all backgrounds to help them reach their full potential. (essential)
• Experience of and ability to teach effectively, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, a wide range of elementary and advanced Chemical Engineering topics, as well as foundational subjects within our general Engineering Science course. (essential)
• The ability to supervise postgraduate research students. (essential)
• A creative approach to teaching. (desirable)
• Evidence of excellence in teaching. (desirable)

Personal effectiveness

• The ability to support and guide a research group of post-doctoral staff and research students and help them to develop into successful independent researchers, and the commitment to provide pastoral and academic support for students and researchers at all stages in their University career (essential)
• Communication and interpersonal skills enabling the formation of good working relationships with colleagues, students and collaborators with a commitment to demonstrating respect, courtesy and consideration within interactions with members of the University community and to ensuring the Department provides a positive, supportive and inclusive environment for all (essential)
• Good citizenship and a willingness to undertake administrative duties (within reason) to support the smooth running of the Department and the College. A commitment to advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion in research, teaching and/or the broader community. (essential)
• Commitment to promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion amongst students and in the workplace, including the undertaking of appropriate training as and when asked to do. (essential)
• Achievement of impact of research beyond academia and a readiness to communicate to a wider public the central interest and importance of the field. (desirable)
• Experience of supervising research students. (desirable)
• Experience of or an interest in developing links with industry and/or other non-academic partners. (desirable)
• Awareness of the University’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty.  (desirable)
• Experience of creating and promoting collaborative and inclusive environments for people from different backgrounds (desirable)