Postdoctoral Fellowship (06) at Aston University, Birmingham, England

Applicants are invited to apply for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to join CIRCARB, a multi-partner, Critical Mass research programme focused on defossilising plastics, chemicals and construction materials by replacing fossil-derived carbon with biogenic and captured carbon feedstocks. 

The post holder will join the Microbial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing group as part of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University. The role will focus on developing circular bioprocesses to valorise biogenic food-waste streams, into medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolymers and co-products. These materials will be used to formulate and characterise bio-based sustainable packaging materials.

This role will contribute to the delivery of the CIRCARB programme, a national-scale research initiative focused on defossilising industrial materials by substituting fossil-derived carbon with biogenic and captured CO₂ feedstocks. CIRCARB integrates material innovation with system-level modelling, lifecycle assessment, and policy alignment to enable a circular carbon economy. 

The postdoctoral researcher will primarily conduct research on the workstream on circular carbon feedstocks & end-of-life recovery, developing spatially explicit models of feedstock availability, logistics optimisation, and circular resource flows across the UK. 

In parallel, the role will contribute to economic development work within the Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub, supporting the translation of research into regional economic opportunities, commercial pathways, and policy-relevant insights. This includes linking bioenergy innovation to regional growth, job creation, and investment pipelines.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the flagship SmartChar programme, a five-year, EPSRC funded research programme focused on developing self-sensing, low-carbon concrete infrastructure through the integration of biochar materials, advanced fibre optic sensing, and digital technologies.

This role focuses on the development of Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing (DFOS) systems embedded within concrete, enabling infrastructure to monitor its own condition in real time. The position combines sensor development, optical interrogation (e.g. OFDR), and data analytics, contributing to the creation of intelligent systems for structural health monitoring and digital twin applications.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the flagship SmartChar programme, a five-year, EPSRC funded research programme focused on developing self-sensing, low-carbon concrete infrastructure through the integration of biochar materials, advanced fibre optic sensing, and digital technologies.

This role focuses on the assessment, optimisation and advanced characterisation of biomass-derived biochar and biochar production technologies for use in low-carbon concrete, as well as wider biochar applications in civil and environmental engineering. The postholder will help establish the material and process foundation for the programme by investigating how feedstock type, pyrolysis technology, reactor configuration, process conditions and resulting biochar properties influence performance in construction-related applications.

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to support two interconnected research projects, one of which is internationally funded, focused on advancing inclusive mobility through innovative digital technologies. The projects explore how new digital technologies including digital twins, augmented reality (AR), and AI-enabled systems can improve accessibility and navigation for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. The role involves working closely with academic researchers, wheelchair users, students, transport and disability organisations to co-develop user-centred solutions for more inclusive transport systems.

You will contribute to two projects: Scaling Inclusive Mobility from Campus to City and Beyond (funded through the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account at Aston University) and Development of a Digital Twin and AI-Enabled Walkway Monitoring System (funded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korea). Together, these projects aim to better understand accessibility barriers and develop practical technologies that support safer and more independent mobility.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the flagship SmartChar programme, a five-year, EPSRC funded research programme focused on developing self-sensing, low-carbon concrete infrastructure through the integration of biochar materials, advanced fibre optic sensing, and digital technologies.

This role focuses on understanding and optimising the performance of biochar-enhanced concrete. The successful candidate will contribute to WP2: Biochar-Concrete Interaction and Performance, which forms the scientific core of SmartChar.