Job Details - Jobs at Aston University

Appointment details
Chair in Chemical Engineering
Closing date
st
31 January 2015
Ref: R140386
Contents
 About Aston University
 Welcome from Professor Bjorn Birgisson, Executive Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science
 School of Engineering & Applied Science
 Job description
 Person specification
 Salary and benefits
 How to apply and the selection process
 Outline terms and conditions
About Aston University
At a time of significant change within the Higher
Education sector, with more emphasis being placed on
widening participation, graduate employment, the
student experience and the impact of research on
society, Aston looks forward to the future with
confidence.
Aston’s vision is to be the UK’s leading University for
business, enterprise and the professions, where
original research has a positive impact on the world
around us. Aston’s strategy ‘Forward to 2020’
describes Aston as a top research-led international
University renowned for developing future leaders of
business and the professions.
We already ‘punch above our weight’ and have high,
yet realistic, aspirations for 2020 that include:
 Ranked within the top 1% of universities in the
world, and consistently in the Top 20 in the UK
 In the Top 10 for Graduate Employability in the
UK and Top 40 worldwide
 Focussed on the needs of business and the
professions, with all Aston undergraduate
students taking part in integrated work
experience
 Carrying out world class research that leads to
the creation of practical and applicable
solutions for the challenges of the future, and
contributes to the development of research
leaders and entrepreneurs
 Providing an inspiring, challenge-based
education for students, equipping them to
develop into global citizens, with the skills,
knowledge and confidence they will need to
achieve their goals and reach their full life
potential
 Engaging with our community and city,
recruiting students with talent regardless of
income and background, and partnering with
business, the professions and the public sector
 Putting sustainability at the centre of all we do,
ensuring that Aston is one of the greenest and
most sustainable of all UK universities, in the
Top 5 of the People and Planet League.
Students are at the heart of everything we do within
Aston’s small and friendly community – in the way we
think and in the way we act. The student experience is
distinctive and unique at Aston because it is built and
lived by students and staff as equal partners in the
relationship. Our students are engaged in all aspects
of their academic and social lives at Aston; our staff
are genuinely interested in their students, their
success and their welfare, and are universally
approachable and friendly.
Welcome from Professor Bjorn Birgisson
Dear applicant
I am delighted that you are considering applying for this position at what is a particularly exciting time
for Aston University, and in particular for the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
The School’s tradition of quality and innovative teaching, and its reputation for cutting edge research
that is relevant to industry, business and society, offers our staff and students excellent opportunities to
join in the process of discovery and creativity, and prepare for an increasingly diverse and technological
world.
Our scientists and engineers work together with a variety of other professionals in their quest to find
solutions to complex problems. Our research income has grown dramatically over the past five years
with awards growth trebling and now at a level of over £9M / year and still growing. A particularly
important development is the establishment of new substantive Research institutes in photonics (Aston
Institute for Photonics Technology) and in bioenergy (European Bioenergy Research Institute).
Teaching innovation and quality are a vitally important focus. In the School of Engineering and Applied
Science we are inspired by the challenges of providing a vibrant, fulfilling and effective student
experience, and this is reflected in our attention to teaching innovation; we are particularly proud of our
innovation in introducing “active engineering” across our curriculum. We encourage our students to
learn by doing – e.g., in multidisciplinary project groups.
It is a very exciting time to be a part of Aston and I look forward to receiving your application and
learning more about how you would contribute the schools continuing success.
Professor Bjorn Birgisson
Executive Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science
The School of Engineering and Applied Science
Structure
The School of Engineering and Applied Science was
formed in 1998 as part of a University-wide academic
reorganisation from a departmental and faculty
structure to a School structure. The internal structure
of SEAS is set up as a matrix, which is intended to
encourage the formation of new research and/or
teaching links between previously unrelated areas. A
member of staff may therefore choose to join a
research group whose composition is markedly
different from that of the Subject Group through which
other professional activities are arranged.
SEAS is led by the appointed Executive Dean,
Professor Bjorn Birgisson, The Executive Dean is
supported by a Deputy Dean (Dr Trevor Oliver) and
four appointed Associate Deans with the following
areas of overall responsibility:

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

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Research: Prof Alison Hodge
Undergraduate Programmes: Dr Trevor Oliver
Learning and Teaching: Dr Robin Clark
Postgraduate Programmes: Dr Sudhir Jain
External Relations: Prof Alison Hodge
Underpinning this structure are six Subject Groups,
with considerable discipline-specific responsibilities,
each with a Subject Group Head; and two research
institutes as listed below:
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (CEAC)

Professor Sahar Al-Malaika
Computer Science (CS)

Professor Ian Nabney
Electrical, Electronic and Power Engineering (EEPE)

Engineering Systems and Management (ESM)

Professor Ed Sweeney
European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI)

Professor Tony Bridgwater
Mathematics (Maths)

Professor Ian Nabney
Mechanical Engineering and Design (MED)

Dr Gareth Thomson
Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT)

Professor Sergei Turitsin
Each Subject Group has devolved responsibility for the
design, delivery and operation of particular
programmes through the Programme Management
Committees. The bodies report through three key
committees - Management Committee, Teaching
Committee and Research Committee, ensuring that
the individual disciplines are sustained and developed
within the single integrated structure of the School.
Research
The School of Engineering and Applied Science
specialises in research that addresses future societal
needs:
sustainability,
bio-energy,
knowledge
engineering, complex systems studies, superfast high
bandwidth communications and assistive technologies
in biomedicine. We want to address basic questions
with high human impact:

How can we simulate model, predict and control
uncertain
complex
systems
with
partial
knowledge?

How do we engineer superior optically based
communication and sensing technologies?
Professor Lin Zhang

How can we apply chemistry to construct
materials and products for use in biotechnology,
nanotechnology and medicine?

How can we harness biosciences as a source of
renewable energy and raw materials for industry?
How can we create a more sustainable future?

How can we engineer improved health systems
and technologies?
From new hardware technologies to developments in
algorithms for smart data processing, our Engineering
research is at the core of modern society
developments. Photonics research focuses on ultrafast
optical transmission and processing in fibre designed
optic components. Flexible and powerful principles of
fibre optic sensing are also being used to detect
physical and chemical properties of living cells.
Synthetic chemistry is being utilised to construct novel
‘designer’ materials that interact with biological
molecules, cells and more complex biological systems.
Biomedical engineering research is investigating smart
systems for monitoring and diagnosis. Sophisticated
cross-disciplinary mathematical and computational
approaches are being developed for transportation,
environmental, eHealth and communication domains,
and work on thermal biomass conversion applies
chemical engineering science and technology to the
design and development of new products and
processes that will enable society to have less harmful
environmental impacts.
Research groups
RAE 2008
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise the
School was praised for its substantial submission (86
% of the academic staff) with a well-articulated
strategy. Over 40 % of the research outputs were in
the internationally excellent to world leading range (3*
and 4*). Overall, EAS placed 12th out of 49 institutions
in the General Engineering category on a volumeweighted quality ranking.
RESEARCH FACILITIES
There are a number of primary research groups (see
www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups) in the School,
with some that are long established and are
internationally renowned, organised as follows:
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
 Polymer and Advanced Materials
 Catalysis and Materials
 Biomaterials
Computer Science
 Computer Science
 Non-linearity
and
Complexity
Mathematics)
 ALICE: The Aston Lab for Intelligent
Collectives Engineering
Electronic, Electrical and Power Engineering
 Adaptive Communication Networks Research
 Nanoscience
 Power Engineering & Power Electronics
Engineering Systems and Management
European Bioenergy Research Institute
 Thermal processing
 Catalysis
 Algal cultivation
 Bioenergy markets
Institute of Systems Analytics
Mathematics
 Non-linearity and Complexity Research Group
(with Computer Science)
Mechanical Engineering and Design
 Biomedical Engineering
 Sustainable Environment
Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies
Across the School there are facilities dedicated for
student use, and all students are supplied with
individual computers and working space. In addition to
local computing infrastructure, all staff and students
have access to the School's existing 144-processor
Cray XD1 and a 256 node SGI cluster computer.
There have been significant enhancements to the
research infrastructure in the School with a total value
in excess of £15M.
(with

The European Bioenergy Research Institute
benefitted from a £17 million investment jointly
funded by the ERDF and the University. This has





established a brand new state of the art research
facility with laboratory and pilot plant facilities in
thermal biomass processing and catalysis.
partnership with industry. This is reflected by the fact
that Aston is the UK’s number one university-provider
of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships per capita.
The Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies
(AIPT) was created in 2012 in recognition of the
world leading status of the photonics at Aston
University over past 20 years, and has benefited
from over £4 million of strategic investments in
staff and infrastructure over the past decade
2
including a 100 m clean room constructed and
equipped through AWM and SRIF funding (£400k);
SRIF2 funding (£1.2M) was also used to create a
new suite of laboratories for micro/nano fabrication
technologies for application at multiple scales: the
whole body, tissues, and cells;
£670k of SRIF funds was invested to purchase an
X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and an electron
spectrometer;
Over £1.5M, primarily from HEFCE and AWM, has
supported the creation of a state-of-the-art
analytical laboratory for CEAC;
The School is investing heavily with £2M of SRIF3
funding to upgrade the infrastructure of the
Electronics Research Group and support its
diversification
into nanoscale
and
health
applications of photonics
IP is exploited in partnership with the Business
Partnership Unit (set up in 2001), which manages
patenting, licensing, and setting up of spin-out
companies based on selected research innovations.
In addition to this, the School has a range of
specialised facilities which are resourced by each
separate research or subject group through direct
contract funds to support specific research activities in
EAS.
Funding for Research
The School’s research income has increased
significantly over the last 2 census periods and has
averaged £9.6M per annum since the 2010/11
academic year, with continued growth planned in
future years. Research income originates from diverse
sources - including the UK Research Councils (in
particular EPSRC), EU (FP 7, Horizon 2020) the Royal
Society/Royal Academy of Engineering, Innovate UK
and the Leverhulme Trust.
A significant proportion of our research activity is either
directly sponsored by, or undertaken in close
Athena Swan
The Athena SWAN Charter, funded by the Equality
Challenge Unit and the UKRC, aims to encourage
institutions to recruit, retain and promote women in
SET in higher education and research.
The School of Engineering and Applied Science
recently received a Silver Award from the Athena
SWAN Charter in recognition of its support for women
in STEMM disciplines. Aston University also holds an
Athena SWAN Bronze award and is in the process of
applying for Silver status.
These awards reflect the School and Aston’s excellent
practice in, and on-going commitment to, the career
progression of female academics and researchers in
STEMM subjects.
For
more
information,
www.aston.ac.uk/seas
visit
our
website
European Bioenergy Research Institute - EBRI
The bioenergy market is growing, driven by low carbon
energy policy, security of supply issues, and by waste
policies to divert waste materials from landfill. There is
an enormous untapped resource for energy conversion
from waste that goes unnecessarily into landfill or low
efficiency incineration. The emerging technologies
that form the research and demonstration facilities in
EBRI offer the very exciting potential to deliver
substantial savings and energy capacity with a net
“carbon negative” outcome. EBRI provides a fully
functioning demonstration facility to showcase
bioenergy technologies to regional businesses, and
also acts as a primary conduit for the transfer of
knowledge about bioenergy between stakeholders and
will embed skills to benefit the regional economy. The
new building was opened in October 2013 with a total
investment of approximately £19M.
The Challenge and the EBRI Mission
The UK Government has established aggressive
targets for CO2 levels with reductions of 34 % by 2020
by 80 % by 2050. Regions across the UK have
established programmes to reduce CO2 accordingly,
and in some cases have been even more aggressive.
For example, Birmingham City Council has committed
a target of 60 % reduction of CO2 by 2026.
EBRI aims to accelerate the adoption and exploitation
of biomass thermal conversion technologies and
catalysis. EBRI performs research and knowledge
transfer in all aspects of bioenergy, by acting as a
demonstrator of these technologies and by providing
industrial research collaborators the opportunity to run
process trials, evaluate feed materials and study
combinations of processes prior to investment. The
core technologies of pyrolysis and gasification
provides a test bed at Aston University powering and
heating the new EBRI building. Facilities include a 400
kWel fluidised bed gasifier and a 100 kg/h Pyroformer
unit and a 400 kWe CHP engine with sufficient
capacity to satisfy the needs of EBRI with a small
surplus for export.
EBRI is organising demonstration sites for its new
pyrolysis/gasification based bioenergy technology in
India, Hungary, Germany and the UK – EBRI
application centres (EBRIAC). The strategy of the
Birmingham City Council to reduce CO2 emission by
2026 by 60 % is strongly recommending the new EBRI
technology. EBRI is already collaborating with Severn
Trent Water to turn sewage sludge into heat and
power, with Johnson Matthey to develop catalyst
based tar reforming units, with Tenmat to develop new
catalysis supported hot gas filtration units for tar
removal from syngas, with Moser GmbH for hydrogen
formation from biochar, with Harper Adams University
College for the application of biochar to fields, with
Konduit and Invigour for the development of a power
plant franchise model and with IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar and
IISc Bangalore in the field of bioenergy solutions for
rural areas in India.
Science Progress in biomass conversion
The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI)
has demonstrated that it is possible to produce clean
fuels and sequestered carbon products as biochar.
Pyrolysis is a core technology in EBRI with substantial
laboratory and pilot plant units employing both
intermediate pyrolysis and fast pyrolysis, with
complementary work on slow pyrolysis and
torrefaction. Intermediate pyrolysis allows the use of a
very broad range of fuels of varying quality including
wood waste, algae residue, general municipal waste,
energy grasses, sewage sludge and agricultural
residues. Materials that might otherwise be landfilled
are used to produce fuel via pyrolysis and/or
gasification for combined heat and power (CHP)
systems. The overall process is not just carbon
neutral, but substantially carbon negative as the
charcoal can be sequestered in soil. Other products
include heat and power, hydrogen, synthetic natural
gas (SNG) and FT-diesel. Fast pyrolysis produces up
to 75 wt% homogenous liquid bio-oil from biomass for
either direct use in boilers and engines or upgrading to
a wide variety of chemicals and fuels by thermal,
chemical and catalytic processes.
There is an accompanying comprehensive research
programme covering all aspects of biomass
processing from feed preparation to reactor design,
liquids collection, liquids upgrading, process modelling
and process optimisation.
Biomass gasification is another area of growing
competence with bench scale fluid bed and fixed bed
units that complement the 400 kg/h air blown fluid bed
gasifier in the pilot plant. This research is supported
by physical and mathematical modelling.
Catalysis underpins modern society, impacting upon
energy, materials and health. The importance of
catalysis in the areas of renewable energy production
and biomass utilisation for fuels and chemicals, is
reflected in the recent creation of a new £2.5 M
catalysis, surfaces and materials group within EBRI,
led by Professors Karen Wilson and Adam Lee. This
houses state-of-the-art facilities for catalyst synthesis,
characterisation and testing, including an X-ray suite
housing
high-throughput
and
in-situ
X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy and powder X-ray
diffraction, a suite of high pressure stirred batch and
continuous flow gas/liquid phase microreactors
supported by an array of GC, HPLC and GC-MS
analysis, in-situ IR and UV-vis spectrometers, and
multi-litre jacketed vessels for solvothermal materials
preparation.
Job description
The School of Engineering and Applied Science is seeking a Chair in Chemical Engineering to provide academic
leadership in the development of the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). The Chair will collaborate with
existing EBRI research groups, whose interests span chemical engineering, catalysis and biochemistry, and across
the wider University. The successful candidate must have an outstanding research portfolio, preferably in thermal
conversion (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification or combustion) or related bioenergy production. The ability to develop and
deliver a strong research plan which integrates into EBRI’s larger mission is essential. A strong commitment to
successful delivery of the EBRI vision in conjunction with the EBRI Director, the EBRI Operational Director and the
EBRI Research Director, is critical to ensure effective management of the pool of scientific and engineering projects.
Candidates must have excellent experience of team dynamics, and the drive and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate
others. The chair is also expected to contribute to teaching chemical engineering topics within the Chemical
Engineering accredited programmes.
The principal objective is to provide leadership in the development and enhancement of relevant research in the
School with a particular focus on industrial and commercial activities, and engagement in the teaching of chemical
engineering programmes.
Responsibilities
Research
 To be a leading authority in the field of bioenergy and biofuels, with an international reputation.
 To lead and develop internal and external networks such as with other research leaders, educational bodies,
employers and professional bodies.
 To foster collaboration and share information and ideas and promote Chemical Engineering and the
University.
 To lead and co-ordinate research activity in the subject.
 To lead bids for research, consultancy and other additional funds.
 To supervise the work of others (if appropriate) in research teams or projects or as PhD supervisor.
 To foster inter-disciplinary team working.
Teaching
 To design, develop and deliver taught chemical engineering modules within Chemical Engineering
programmes of study which inspire our students.
 To provide academic leadership in developing teaching and learning. This includes identifying opportunities
for strategic development and contributing to opportunities for areas of activity.
Community Engagement
 To be involved in activities to raise the local, regional, national and international profile of the activities of the
European Bioenergy Research Institute.
 To support commercialisation activities and business partnerships including exploiting Intellectual Property.
 To support research collaborations with industry.
General Professorial Responsibilities
 To exercise leadership for research activities across the University.
 To ensure the implementation of the University’s strategic plans within the area of work.
 To chair/take leading roles in committees and participate in institutional decision making and governance.
 To contribute to the enhancement of research quality and thinking in the field by being involved in quality
assurance and other external decision making bodies.
 To contribute to the overall management of EBRI in areas such as budget management and business
planning.
 To contribute to the design and delivery of taught modules in chemical engineering.
 To be involved in School level strategic planning and contribute to wider strategic planning processes in the
institution.
 To ensure that an appropriate framework is developed and used for pastoral care issues within a specified
area; give advice, guidance, coaching and feedback to research staff, act as a personal mentor to peers and
colleagues.
 To contribute to the development of teams and individuals through the appraisal system and to provide advice
on personal development.
 To demonstrate an active commitment in promoting equality and diversity.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
Method of assessment
A good first degree in Chemical Engineering or strongly
related subject.
Application form
A PhD in Chemical engineering or strongly related
subject.
Experience
A well-established international reputation.
Proven ability to secure large-scale and continued
external research funding.
Application form,
interview and
presentation
Evidence of leadership and innovation.
Supervision of research fellows and PhD students to
successful completion.
A strong track record of publications in peer-reviewed
international journals of high standing (expected H-index
>20).
Evidence of successful team building, people
management and mentoring.
Experience within the UK Higher Education system.
Aptitude and skills
Ability to work with collaborators in the UK and abroad.
Understanding of effective team dynamics.
A willingness to undertake further training as appropriate
and to adopt new procedures as and when required.
Commitment to observing the University’s Equal
Opportunity policy at all times.
Empathy with the objectives, priorities and culture of a
research and teaching organisation.
Application form,
interview and
presentation
Experience
Desirable
Method of assessment
Active involvement in a relevant professional body.
Application form and
Interview
Provision of pastoral care to support staff and students.
Experience of near market application of technologies.
Salary & benefits
This post is offered on a continuing basis. The starting salary at Professorial level is £54,687 per annum however this
is negotiable and will be commensurate with the experience and expertise of the successful candidate.
Holiday entitlement
31 days per annum, in addition to 13 days public and university holidays.
Pension
Eligible staff are offered a defined benefit pension with the University
Superannuation Scheme.
Contribution pay
The University’s Performance Development and Reward Scheme provides for
salary enhancement for staff who are considered to be performing at an
exceptional level on a consistent basis.
Relocation
Aston University aims to recruit the most talented individuals. This policy is
intended to support this aim by providing assistance to new employees who have
to relocate to take up a position. This policy applies to staff appointed to a position
from 1 January 2014 at grade 7 (salary point 25) or above on an open-ended
contract or to a fixed term position of two years or more, and who have to relocate
their place of residence in order to take up the appointment.
Visit our website: aston.ac.uk/hr for full details of our salary scales and the benefits Aston University staff enjoy.
How to apply and the selection process
Please visit our website aston.ac.uk/jobs to apply online. If you do not have internet access, call 0121 204 4500 and
leave your name and address quoting the job title and reference number.
Closing date for applications
31 January 2015
Interview date
To be confirmed
For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Karen Wilson, Research Director, EBRI, k.wilson@aston.ac.uk, 0121204-5456.
If you would like information on the progress of your application, advice on any aspect of the appointment process, or
a conversation about our terms and conditions of service, please contact:
Angela Thakur
HR Advisor – School of Engineering &
Applied Science
+44 (0) 121 204 4230
a.thakur1@aston.ac.uk
Anthony Madarani
HR Administrator
+44 (0) 121 204 4892
a.madarani@aston.ac.uk
Outline terms and conditions of the appointment
Qualifications
Successful candidates will be required to produce evidence of their qualifications
upon joining the University
Medical clearance
It is a condition of appointment that newly-appointed staff receive medical
clearance from the University’s Health Centre.
Eligibility to work in the UK
Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or of another EEA member
country, should ensure that they meet the requirements of one of the 5 tiers of the
immigration points based system.
Candidates should check their eligibility to enter or remain in the UK in advance of
making any job application using the points-based calculator on the UK Visas and
Immigration website. If you do not meet the minimum points requirement, you will
not be able to work in the UK and any application for employment would be
unsuccessful.
Document checks
As a result of the implementation of sections 15 to 26 of the Immigration, Asylum
and Nationality 2006 Act on 29 February 2008, the University requires all
prospective and, in some cases, current employees, to provide documentation to
verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information about these
requirements can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Equal opportunities
Aston University promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We aim
to ensure, through our admissions policies for students, and our staff recruitment
and selection processes, that we encourage applications from all groups
represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level.
The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or
indirectly, against students or potential students, staff or potential staff. This
commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an
individual’s career at Aston.
An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included with the application form.
Data Protection Act 1998
Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are
successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the
University which will be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in
statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside
bodies.
Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a
general database, for statistical monitoring purposes, enabling the University to
monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Code of Practice and Guidelines on Equal
Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name.
Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS)
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a person with a criminal record is
not required to disclose any spent convictions unless the position they are applying
for is listed as an exception under the act.
Teaching Qualifications
It is the normal expectation that all teaching staff who are not able to satisfy the
requirements of an advanced teaching qualification (such as the University’s PG
Certificate in Professional Practice (PGCPP)) on appointment should be able to do
so within two years of appointment. This may be extended to four years in
exceptional circumstances or where staff hold part-time posts.
Full details of our terms and conditions of service and associated policies and procedures are available online at
www.aston.ac.uk/hr.