Research Project Manager

A Project Manager position is available immediately in the Department of Chemistry of the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Liverpool, as part of the research groups led by Professor Andrew Cooper FRS and Professor Anna Slater.

We are looking to recruit a Project Manager to join a collaborative project funded by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in partnership with Atkins and the National Physical Laboratory. The project will develop and test organic material solutions to separate hydrogen isotopes using kinetic quantum sieving (KQS). Two PDRAs are already in post, and we have been awarded funding to extend the project to include computational modelling and employ a full-time project manager to oversee management of this project.

Nuclear fusion is seen as the most promising carbon-free, clean energy source for our future. The most plausible fuel for fusion reactors is deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen, the most abundant element on our planet. The development of fusion power technology depends on a sustainable technology for the separation of hydrogen’s three isotopes, but current methods are both energy intensive and inefficient. Nanoporous materials offer a less energy-intensive method to separate hydrogen isotopes, by a process known as kinetic quantum sieving, however most candidates are not commercially viable due to poor performance. Our technology has made a breakthrough in this field, with an advanced nanoporous material discovered at the University of Liverpool that exhibits high hydrogen isotope separation performance.  This project will further develop this technology, by working with key industry partners, to develop and test a hydrogen isotope separation solution for the future of nuclear energy.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to take a lead role in managing the programme aspects of this project, including liaising with partners, working with post-doctoral researchers and PIs to coordinate project direction, reporting, operational requirements, milestone and progress monitoring and planning, and budgeting. You will be integral to the delivery of the project, ensuring that communication across the collaboration is effective, and leading and coordinating activities to ensure the project is successfully completed.

The Cooper Group and Slater Group are based in the Department of Chemistry and in the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF). Both groups undertake extensive collaboration with academic and industrial partners, and there will be opportunities to contribute more widely to the establishment and delivery of partnership and translational activities within these research areas.

A graduate level qualification in a Science, Engineering or Business discipline is required alongside demonstrable experience in successful project management, ideally in an HEI setting.

The School of Physical Sciences is an Athena SWAN Silver Award holder and is committed to encouraging, developing, and supporting women in their research and academic careers. We are working to create an inclusive environment which values a diverse workforce, and we recognise that many individuals value flexibility in their work/life balance. We strongly encourage applications from groups underrepresented within our workforce, in particular women.

The post is fixed term until 31 March 2025.

The University has the right to close the vacancy early if it is deemed that there have been enough applications received.