Research Associate - Chemical Plastic Recycling in a Continuous Reactor, 50% FTE (1 Year Term)
University of Toronto
Research Associate - Chemical Plastic Recycling in a Continuous Reactor, 50% FTE (1 Year Term)
Date Posted: 07/25/2024
Req ID:38889
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Dept of Mechanical & Industrial Eng
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Description:
The Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering is home to about 60 professors leading research on a very broad range of topics. On the Industrial Engineering side, research areas include Operations Research, Information Engineering, Human Factors, and Applied Machine Learning, all of which seek to improve the systems we as humans rely on to navigate our world. On the Mechanical Engineering side, research areas include Robotics, Mechanics & Design, Materials, and Thermofluids, topics that are applied to applications including manufacturing, energy production, and bioengineering.
We are also home to about 2,000 very talented students: about 1,300 undergraduates are enrolled in the Industrial Engineering and in the Mechanical Engineering BASc programs. We have about 350 Master of Engineering (MEng) students, a professional program for students taking courses with us for a year or two. And we have about 350 MASc and PhD students, who work individually on research projects with a particular professor.
The Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering prides itself on being a good place to work: respectful, accepting of difference and professional.
We value employees who are goal-oriented and self-motivated, and who are constantly looking to improve how we serve our students and faculty. We believe in teamwork, in working together for the greater good, and yet doing so in a way that respects each employee’s work-life balance. Finally, we value each employee as an individual, and look for opportunities to recognize each contribution.
We are seeking a highly qualified individual with 2+ years of post-PhD experience in plastic recycling to join our team as a Research Associate. The successful candidate will lead research projects, develop innovative chemical recycling technologies, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
Responsibilities:
• Lead research projects in plastic recycling.
• Design, validate, and optimize chemical reactors for several systems in flow conditions and quantify chemical reactants and products using GC-FIT-TCD-MS and online devices for fluidic and fixed bed systems. Design and develop chemical reactors to achieve desired product compositions and yields.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for the quantification of chemical reactants and products by monitoring and quantifying chemical species in real time, utilizing online analytical devices (e.g., GC, GCMS, GC-FID-TCD, and gas sensors).
• Perform detailed analysis of reaction kinetics and thermodynamics to optimize reactor performance.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for optimal hydrocarbon chain products.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to achieve project goals.
• Analyze data and prepare technical reports.
• Develop and execute research vision with PI to achieve research goals.
• The research associate is expected to publish both at conferences and in journals.
Qualifications:
Education:
• PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
Experience:
• Design, validation, and optimization of chemical reactors for several systems in flow conditions and quantify chemical reactants and products using GC-FIT-TCD-MS and online devices for fluidic and fixed bed systems. Design and develop chemical reactors to achieve desired product compositions and yields.
• Validation of analytical methods for the quantification of chemical reactants and products by monitoring and quantifying chemical species in real time, utilizing online analytical devices (e.g., GC, GCMS, GC-FID-TCD, and gas sensors).
• Detailed analysis of reaction kinetics and thermodynamics to optimize reactor performance.
• Appropriate reactor configurations (e.g., CSTR, PFR, batch reactors) based on reaction mechanisms and production requirements.
• Implement robust validation protocols to ensure analytical methods' accuracy, precision, reliability and scalability.
• Reactor designs meet safety, environmental, and laboratory standards. Chemical reaction engineering, process design, and analytical methods to ensure efficient and effective chemical processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate validated methods into production processes.
• Analyze data from online devices to assess reaction progress and make necessary adjustments to optimize yields.
• Develop and maintain calibration protocols for online analytical devices.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Excellent communication, leadership, and teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently and efficiently but also work well as a part of a team.
• Process Optimization:- Conduct experiments to identify rate-limiting steps and improve overall reaction rates. - Optimize operating conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow rates, catalyst) to enhance reactor efficiency and product quality. -Implement process control strategies to maintain consistent product quality and minimize waste.
• Documentation and reporting
• Prepare detailed technical reports and documentation for reactor designs, validation studies, and process optimization efforts.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and work environment.
Closing Date: 08/06/2024,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Part-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term), pro-rated to 50% FTE: $25,771.50 - $48,321.50
Job Category: Engineering / Technical
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.
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