Organisation
Cranfield University
Faculty or Department
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Based at
Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work
37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type
Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period
For 7 months
Salary
Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,897 to £42,100 per annum
Posted Date
20/02/2026
Apply by
08/03/2026
Documents
5244 - JD & Person (PDF, 275.28kb)
Role Description
We welcome applications from experienced membrane technologists and membrane materials scientists to join our team.
About The Role
Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are critical to desalination and water reuse applications, for the selective separation of unwanted contaminants to produce high quality water. However, the polymer chemistry of the current class of reverse osmosis membranes makes practical operation a challenge, due to the sensitivity to chemicals used for cleaning, limited tolerance to feedwater composition, and an inability to operate intermittently, with these collective factors also reducing the membrane lifetime.
Cranfield are therefore working on a new generation of inorganic 2D materials to produce a chemically and physically robust reverse osmosis membrane technology, comprised of unique geometry that can provide a disruptive solution to the existing RO market, which is experiencing substantial market growth.
The successful candidate would work as part of an existing team developing this 2D technology at Cranfield, and as part of a wider international team of membrane scientists collaborating to accelerate this technology to market. Our ambition is unique, in seeking to accelerate from the basic materials science to a commercial scale module within the duration of the project. Consequently, the successful candidate would work with the team across areas of membrane preparation, synthesis, scale-up, system design and characterisation, with their specific role being dependent on experience and expertise. This is a rare opportunity to have meaningful input into the development of a new generation of membrane technologies, which we intend to accelerate into the marketplace.
Support towards visa costs can be provided for this position.
About You
You will have a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related discipline. Extensive knowledge in membrane materials science and/or membrane systems operation and diagnostics is essential. Candidates must have a proven ability in the design, build and construction of laboratory testing equipment, as well as undertaking extensive laboratory-based experimental research.
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield's world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.
Cranfield Water Science Institute has over 40 years' experience in the water sector, and we are recognised internationally for our transformational research and teaching in the science, engineering and management of water. Cranfield houses state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, enabling research to be undertaken in all areas of water science, and in addition operates the National Research Facility for Water and Wastewater Treatment, offering a unique suite of near-industrial-scale piloting facilities which are globally leading. The membrane group within Cranfield Water Science Institute is built on a strong heritage of delivering internationally competitive science, and we are seeking a highly motivated individual to grow our group and support the delivery of pioneering research on the engineering of 2D membranes for desalination and water reuse.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.
We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
How To Apply
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Ewan McAdam, Professor of Membrane Science and Technology, on (E):
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: Please quote reference number 5244.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 8 March 2026