The Department of Chemical Engineering has a thriving and talented postdoctoral staff community who are vital to our ability to deliver world class research and teaching. We value their contributions immensely and, along with providing professional opportunities, we ensure they are involved in all levels of key decision making through feedback initiatives and by inviting them to serve on departmental committees.

Events

Postdoctoral staff are invited to department social events such as the monthly all staff mixers and summer barbeque, as well as postdoctoral-only networking and social events. These are organised by the Postdoc Committee who have a dedicated budget with which they provide opportunities for professional development, networking and fun.

Postdoc events include Spotlight, where researchers present their work followed by a social with food and drink, and the Career Development Seminar series. Previous topics have included:

• Top tips to communicate your research to non-specialists in the contemporary world
• Transition from research dependence to independence
• Building the foundation to a successful Career

Invites to events are often sent by email or via the Departmental Bulletin.

Postdoc Symposium

They also organise and host the annual Postdoc Symposium which provides an opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to showcase their research and where the Sir William Wakeham Award is presented. The Wakeham Award recognises early career researchers who have made a significant contribution to their research field and have advanced their professional development, and has a £2000 prize associated with it.

Current postdoctoral staff should visit the Intranet for further information including training, development, events and socials.

RAEng Research Fellowship

The Department is now accepting RAEng Research Fellowships applications as part of the University's shortlisting process. Applications from both internal and external candidates are welcome.

• Forms to submit:
• 1) complete application (RAEng Research Fellowship template ) and any permitted supplements (e.g. figures and Gantt chart, see form for full details),
• 2) Up to 3 letters of support from collaborators
• 3) draft HoD letter that will be finalised if you are shortlisted. The letter should include a paragraph highlighting your track record, and another about your proposed fellowship project. In these paragraphs, you should indicate how your track record and project fit with the activities in our department.
• Submit your application to Prof Camille Petit (camille.petit@imperial.ac.uk) with “RAEng research fellowshipapplication – FIRSTNAME SURNAME”  as the subject line.
• Departmental shortlisting will take into account the RAEng assessment criteria and consider the suitability of hosting the fellowship in this department, in terms of how the proposed research ties in with and complements existing activities. Areas of interest to our department include: net zero (incl. sustainable energy technologies, sustainable chemical manufacturing, industrial decarbonisation, negative emissions technologies), industrial biotechnology, AI and automation, chemicals manufacturing: from molecules to processes. 
• Timeline: see below.