Research Associate in Spectroscopy and Molecular Modelling for Zeolite Catalysed Alcohol-to-jet-fuel Catalysis

This is a fixed-term Research Associate position focused on spectroscopy and molecular modeling for zeolite-catalyzed alcohol-to-jet-fuel synthesis. The role involves experimental catalytic testing and in situ spectroscopy to understand molecular behavior in zeolite micropores. Key requirements include experience with vibrational spectroscopy for porous materials and good organizational and communication skills.

• This role is part of the UK Catalysis Hub where the practical work will take place at the Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), working within the Hub laboratories.
• The UK Catalysis Hub is a national consortium of 46 universities, 15 companies, the STFC Harwell science facilities, and 13 international partners established in 2013 to coordinate and advance UK catalysis research and connect it internationally.
• Now in its third phase of funding, its priority research areas include sustainability and net zero, digital chemistry, and advanced characterisation methods.
• One of its core missions is to support the training and career development of early career researchers via community events.
• This one-year project brings together complementary expertise in catalytic testing and in situ spectroscopy (Lezcano Gonzalez, UK Catalysis Hub/Manchester) with atomistic modelling and simulation of microporous catalysts carried out by the main supervisor (O’Malley, Bath).
• The work will focus on the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process, a key route to sustainable aviation fuels, and aims to establish how adsorption, diffusion, and competitive site interactions within zeolite micropores govern catalytic performance, selectivity, and stability.
• The project will involve catalytic testing in fixed-bed reactors and in situ FTIR/DRIFTS spectroscopy to probe adsorption, acid-site interactions, and reaction intermediates. The successful candidate will be based at Harwell, gaining experience across multiple techniques.
• This role offers a unique opportunity to develop an integrated experimental skillset working closely with expertise in molecular simulation, with strong links to national facilities (ISIS and Diamond) and future large-scale research programmes.
• There will also be opportunities to engage with industrial partners working on sustainable aviation fuels and advanced catalyst materials.
• Both the UKCH and University of Bath are strongly committed to ED&I and RRI, with comprehensive strategies to tackle long-standing issues facing under-represented groups and key ethical issues, focusing on empowering, inspiring, connecting and upskilling more diverse leaders.

• Ideal candidate will have experience in the use of vibrational spectroscopy to study the adsorption of molecules into porous materials, and ideally synthesis and characterisation of zeolite catalysts.
• Apart from excellent technical skills, good organisational, communication and presentation skills are essential for this role, as is the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary environment. Interaction with partners of the UK Catalysis Hub and participation in their events will be expected.