Research Associate in Developing Mechanistic Understanding of Twin Screw Wet Granulation

Chemical and Biological Engineering is a thriving department within the University’s Faculty of Engineering, comprising 34 academic staff, 41 research staff and technicians, 11 support staff and over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Department has a vibrant research and teaching culture spanning particle science and technology / nanotechnology, new energy technologies, the environment and applications of post-genomics bioscience for biotechnology and bioprocessing applications.

An opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate who will work as part of a team on an EPSRC funded project to develop mechanistic understanding of the twin screw wet granulation process. The equipment, Twin Screw Granulator, is based at Particle Products Group (PPG), The University of Sheffield, UK. This equipment uses a wet continuous granulation technique, which is known to increase product yield, product quality and supply chain flexibility. The Research Associate will characterise the feed powders in terms of physical and mechanical properties and perform experimental validation of the developed models. The project will also involve determination of the factors that influence the granule attributes and finished product quality and finally map the process based on the results. Furthermore, the Research Associate will characterise the flow of the powders and granules in the twin the screw granulator using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Finally, the process map and flow characteristics are expected to link together to the build the mechanistic understanding of granulation process in twin screw granulator.

You will have a PhD or equivalent experience in particle technology, practical experience in particle technology and wet granulation.