The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role.
The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the Eurocell Plastics Recycling Project by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project.
Support the development of new areas in the field of PVC Recycling.
Dates: February 2025-June 2025
Location: Dalton Tower and Engineering Polymer Labs
Key Tasks
Research Activities
This project is intended to do fundamental proof of concept work to support our industry partner Eurocell Recycling in reducing the volume of waste products from their PVC window-frame recycling operations. Eurocell currently recycles old window frames recovered from building sites, demolitions, and renovations into new window frames at their site in Ilkeston. However, inevitably some other materials are mixed with the window frames and there is a portion of waste separated from the main recycling line which cannot be recycled into new window frames. This project is intended to study this waste material and explore options to convert it into a useful product.
The project will involve the following steps:
- Characterisation and understanding of the components of waste materials.
- Thermal analysis to determine processing parameters.
- Production of recycled samples.
- Characterisation of materials properties of recycled samples.
- Writing technical findings report.
The project will involve the use of thermal analysis equipment (thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry), microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, and polymer processing equipment, as well as mechanical test apparatus (tensile strength, hardness, impact strength).
You will plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.
Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
The project is laboratory and workshop based, and the researcher will be required to wear appropriate PPE (safety glasses, laboratory coat, possibly protective footwear) as appropriate to the workshop/laboratory and the work being done.
Appropriate training and supervision will be given for this project, with a technical specialist being employed to assist technical services colleagues in training on polymer processing and testing equipment. However, the researcher will be required to work independently, seek clarification where necessary, and plan their own work to achieve project research objectives.
Liaison and Networking
The researcher will be required to attend (monthly) meetings with Eurocell collaborators and weekly internal meetings (with Dr Ingram) to present research and provide progress updates and discuss solutions.
Service Provision
Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction.
Team Working
Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project.
Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making.
Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.
Assist in the supervision of taught postgraduate and/or research students, as required, to support the development research skills.
Miscellaneous
You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes.
You are responsible for applying the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct.
You have a responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work.
Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.