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

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

Department Chemistry

Salary Starting from £38,784, rising to £46,049

Grade Grade 7

Contract Type Full Time, Fixed Term

Placed on Friday 15 May 2026

Closing date Monday 08 June 2026

Interview date Monday 22 June 2026

Reference SS13564

Guidance for International Applicants

About the role

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 is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated postdoctoral researcher to work at the interface of heterogeneous catalysis, in situ spectroscopy, and computational modelling to understand molecular behaviour in zeolite catalysts for sustainable aviation fuels.

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 (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, alongside computational studies using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations. The successful candidate will be based at Harwell and will work closely with both experimental and modelling teams, gaining experience across multiple techniques.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop an integrated experimental- computational skillset, 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.

About you

Ideal candidate will have experience in the use of vibrational spectroscopy to study the adsorption of molecules into porous materials, and experience of collaborating with expertise in quantum mechanical calculations or using such methods directly.

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.

Further information

This is a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term role with an expected start date of September 2026.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Alexander O’Malley at View email address on myscience.uk.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant . an accredited Disability Confident Leader ; autism friendly university , committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .

What we can offer you

We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us and .

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Further details:

• Job Description & Person Specification

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.