From cast10-request@bevo.che.wisc.edu Tue Aug 8 09:45:52 2000 Resent-Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 09:45:52 -0500 (CDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Message-ID: <14736.7455.756223.162627@bahaha.che.wisc.edu> Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 09:45:51 -0500 (CDT) From: "Dr. Steven P. Asprey" To: Subject: CAST: Postdoctoral Position at Imperial College X-CAST-Category: jobs post-doc 2001-02 Resent-Message-ID: <"cDo-reGjnAF.A.SHG.g0Bk5"@bevo.che.wisc.edu> Resent-From: cast10@bevo.che.wisc.edu X-Mailing-List: X-Loop: cast10@bevo.che.wisc.edu Precedence: list Resent-Sender: cast10-request@bevo.che.wisc.edu Sender: cast10-request@bevo.che.wisc.edu Errors-To: cast10-request@bevo.che.wisc.edu ----------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Past postings on the CAST10 Email List are archived on the World Wide Web at http://www.che.wisc.edu/cast10 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Centre for Process Systems Engineering & Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine London, UK POSTDOCTORAL POSITION P4: Polymers, Properties and Polymerisation Processes P4 is a major collaborative project involving polymer chemistry, material science, reaction engineering, and process systems engineering, which has obtained substantial funding from the EPSRC. It aims to establish a systematic approach to the design of polymers and polymer processes, through gaining an understanding of, at a fundamental level, the complex relationship between the polymer chemistry, the polymerisation process utilised, and the properties of the resulting materials. The research worker will be responsible for the development of mathematical models that enable: (i) design of optimally informative experiments for the effective estimation of reaction parameters (ii) the ab initio prediction of polymer properties given specific synthesis routes and molecular properties, (iii) the identification of design and operating variables leading to desired product composition or property specifications, and (iv) the identification of novel reactor configurations or schedules utilising, for example, forced-dynamic or hybrid operations. The work will be closely integrated with an experimental programme for polymer synthesis, with the principal aim of supporting bench to industrial-scale process development. In the first instance, the work will concentrate on hyperbranched polyurethane production, which can be classified as branched polycondensation within a homogeneous reactor. Subsequent work may also consider the production of novel polymer bead supports through suspension polymerisation. This latter work would require some theoretical evaluation of bead growth and size distribution control under practical reactor conditions. State-of-the-art modelling and optimisation tools developed in the Centre for Process Systems Engineering will be employed in the above theoretical studies. The duration of the appointment is three years, with a probation period of six months. The review of applications will begin immediately, with the intention of filling the position as soon as possible. Candidates should have a Ph.D. Degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Systems Engineering with experience or extensive exposure to process modelling, optimisation, and statistics. Strong oral and written communication skills are a requisite, as well as sound computer programming skills. Experience with polymerisation modelling and experimentation is not required, but is desirable. Submission of application material by e-mail is strongly desired. Imperial College offers a competitive salary (GBP 20319 - GBP 26613 including London allowance), commensurate with the candidate's age and qualifications. Applicants should send a CV, a statement of their professional interests (not longer than 1 page) and the names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of at least three technical references to: Dr. Steven P. Asprey Centre for Process Systems Engineering Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Roderick Hill Building, Floor 6 Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BY UK PH: +44 (20) 7594-6656 FX: +44 (20) 7594-6606 s.asprey@ic.ac.uk