Job Overview: Senior Research Fellow in Sustainable Materials

The Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) at the University of East London (UEL) is seeking an exceptional research leader to spearhead the newly launched London Sustainable Materials Lab (LSML). This strategic role is designed to drive innovation in low-carbon materials, bio-based processes, and the circular economy. As UEL celebrates 125 years of “careers-first” education, this position offers a permanent platform to lead high-impact research that addresses global environmental challenges within a world-leading hub.

Job Summary

Employer: University of East London (Sustainability Research Institute)
Location: Docklands Campus, London (E16)
Salary: £53,041 to £60,753 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting)
Post Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Reference: 2257-25-R2

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership: Lead and expand an ambitious research programme within the SRI, specifically supporting the growth of the London Sustainable Materials Lab.
Funding Acquisition: Secure external funding from major bodies, including UKRI, EU programmes, and industry partners.
Mentorship & Supervision: Manage research staff and supervise PhD students, including a fully funded studentship specifically attached to this role.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen academic-industry collaborations, connecting the LSML with practitioners to drive real-world application of sustainable materials.
Output & Impact: Publish high-quality research and represent the SRI at national and international forums to meet UEL’s REF and KEF objectives.
Consultancy: Contribute to knowledge exchange and strategic initiatives across the university’s broader sustainability themes.

Requirements & Qualifications

Academic Credentials: A PhD in a relevant field (Materials Science, Engineering, Bio-based Materials, etc.) and a strong track record of high-impact publications.
Proven Leadership: Demonstrable success in leading funded research projects and supervising doctoral candidates.
Specialism: Expertise in one or more areas: bio-based materials, polymer/textile innovation, lifecycle assessment (LCA), or renewable/recycled resources.
Collaboration Skills: Ability to build cross-disciplinary partnerships and engage with industry and policy stakeholders.
Reputation: A growing national or international research reputation in sustainable materials engineering or low-carbon societies.

Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) Themes

The SRI operates through three interconnected pillars, providing a holistic environment for this role:

Blue/Green Infrastructure: Peatland ecology and urban biodiversity.
Sustainable Materials & Resources: (The core focus of this role) Circular economy and engineering innovation.
Sustainable Society: Climate resilience, behavioral science, and equitable net-zero pathways.

Job Description

Are you ready to shape the future of the materials that build our world? The University of East London is looking for a Senior Research Fellow who doesn’t just study materials but transforms them. At the SRI, 92% of our research is recognized as world-leading or internationally excellent. You will be at the heart of this excellence, leading the London Sustainable Materials Lab to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial reality.

This is a rare opportunity to lead with autonomy while being backed by the resources of a “University of the Year for Teaching Quality.” You will be tasked with finding novel solutions—whether through bio-based polymers, textiles, or waste-resource recovery—to help transition toward a low-carbon society. With a fully funded PhD studentship under your guidance, you will be building a legacy of researchers who share your vision for a more sustainable planet.

UEL is a community of “Passion, Inclusion, and Courage.” We are a Disability Confident employer and an active member of Stonewall, dedicated to closing the diversity pay gap. If you are a visionary researcher who thrives in an interdisciplinary, ambitious environment, we invite you to join us at our Docklands Campus and help us shape the next 125 years of innovation.

Expert Guide: Finalizing Your 2026 London Research Portfolio

This Senior Research Fellow role is the 35th entry in your comprehensive dataset, serving as the “Sustainability & Innovation” anchor for your research. To conclude your project, consider these three final perspectives:

The “Senior Research” Salary Scale: Compare this Senior Fellow (£61k) role against the KCL Research Associate (£48k) and the UCL Strategic Leader (£149k).
Sustainability vs. Governance: A side-by-side view of the Senior Research Fellow (£61k) and the UEL Data Governance Officer (£52k) to see how UEL values different strategic pillars.

The “East London Innovation” Cluster: A final map of research-intensive roles located in the Docklands (UEL) and Stratford (UAL/UCLan) innovation zones.

University of East London (UEL): Pioneering Careers in the 5.0 Economy

The University of East London (UEL) is a high-energy, “careers-first” institution that has experienced a historic “meteoric ascent” in the UK academic landscape. Founded in 1892 and gaining university status in 1992, UEL is anchored in the historic Royal Docks and Stratford. By 2026, it has solidified its position as a top-tier modern university, breaking into the Top 40 UK universities (ranking 33rd in the Guardian University Guide 2026) and positioning itself among the top six in London. This transformation is driven by its “Vision 2028” strategy, which focuses on social mobility, digital innovation, and preparing students for the “5.0 economy”—an era defined by the intersection of technology, human-centricity, and sustainability.

The culture at UEL is rooted in radical inclusion and “courageous” progress. UEL is one of the most diverse universities in the UK, with over 160 nationalities represented and a commitment to being an anti-racist, socially just institution. The environment is described as a “global gateway,” where the focus is shifted from traditional prestige to “Value-Added” metrics—ranking in the top three nationally for helping students exceed their predicted outcomes. It is a collaborative, hands-on culture where staff and students are encouraged to be “community catalysts,” tackling local challenges like health inequality and climate change.

Key University Highlights (2026)

Feature	Details
National Ranking	33rd in the UK (Highest ever position, Guardian 2026)
Student Satisfaction	2nd in London and 4th in England for Overall Positivity (NSS 2025)
Core Mission	“Careers-First” – fastest-rising in England for graduate employability
Entrepreneurship	2nd in the UK for student start-ups, up from 90th in three years
Sustainability	Committed to Net-Zero Carbon Campuses by 2030
Social Impact	Ranked 1st in the UK for addressing inequalities (THE Impact Rankings)
Teaching Quality	University of the Year for Teaching Quality (Times/Sunday Times 2025)

Strategic Campus Hubs

UEL operates across three distinct, tech-enabled campuses, all connected by a free inter-campus bus and major lines like the Elizabeth Line and DLR.

Docklands Campus: A stunning waterfront hub at the Royal Albert Dock. It features the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, the “Innovation Lab,” and the iconic circular Student Village overlooking the Thames.
Stratford Campus: Centered around a 19th-century listed building near the Olympic Park. This is the heart of Health, Sport and Bioscience, Psychology, and Education, including the new Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub.
University Square Stratford (USS): A £33 million specialist center for Arts and Creative Industries, featuring “Harvard-style” lecture theatres, a simulated moot courtroom, and professional performance studios.

The “Careers-First” Approach

Unlike traditional universities, UEL embeds career development into the core curriculum via its award-winning Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth program.

Mental Wealth: Developing emotional intelligence, digital proficiency, and cultural intelligence alongside academic theory. 87% of students report these skills are vital to their future careers.
Industry-Led Design: Courses are co-produced with partners like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Siemens to ensure skills match the 2026 job market.
The Careers Guarantee: A formal commitment to provide every student with industry connections, placements, and 15 months of dedicated support post-graduation.
Track My Future: A personalized app that provides a “digital route-map” to university life, with daily active use exceeding 40,000 interactions.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.uel.ac.uk.