Debondable Adhesives Associate

This is a significant opportunity to help a Leicester, UK-based manufacturer and a research-driven developer of advanced adhesive solutions to innovate in the emerging field of debondable adhesives.

During this unique, 24-month project funded by Innovate UK, you will develop and commercialise reversible adhesive products enabling easier disassembly and recycling of electronic devices, solar cells, and lithium-ion batteries electronic, battery and renewable products.

The debondable adhesives will facilitate recovery of vital materials, such as, tungsten, lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The successful candidate will help to facilitate change in the circular economy, delivering a sustainable product that will greatly enhance the levels of materials recovered from used electronics, vehicles, and renewable energy components.

You will be part of Structural Adhesives Ltd's research and development team, embedding new knowledge into the company that will increase competitiveness and profitability. Experienced University of Leicester academics will support you along the way to making lasting and impactful change. The successful applicant will be employed by the University of Leicester, but working on site at Structural Adhesives Ltd's premises in Leicester.

The role is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and the successful applicant will be the associate delivering on a pre-agreed plan of work to develop debondable adhesives.

You will have the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• PhD/MSc/MEng/MChem or equivalent in chemistry, chemical engineering or material sciences


• Ability to deliver academic research


• Evidence of proven analytical problem-solving capability


• Expertise in materials chemistry, including synthesis and characterisation of polymer materials, and knowledge of inorganic and organic chemical additives.


You will have the following abilities and competencies:

• Problem solving


• Acquiring and analysing high quality test data


• Effective communication and collaboration skills, serving as a liaison between the business and academic partners, and discussing developments and results confidentially and effectively with external stakeholders

+ Team worker, liaising between the business and knowledge partners
+ Collaborate with producers and recyclers in a confidential manner
+ Present technical results from the project with potential new customers
+ Professional discretion and ability to handle confidential information

Structural Adhesives Ltd is a Leicester based manufacturer and a research-driven developer of advanced adhesive solutions: epoxy adhesives, acrylic adhesives, and hybrid polymer adhesives. The family-owned enterprise has been developing adhesive technology for three decades. They service the needs of both UK, European and Non-EU markets.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people's lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you'll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We're committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.