Research Fellow: Biopharma Economics & Sustainability Modelling

Overview

UCL is hiring a Research Fellow to focus on biopharma economics and sustainability modelling within the Department of Biochemical Engineering. This position is part of the Next-Gen Biopharma Manufacturing 5.0 Prosperity Partnership, which is a five-year collaborative programme between UCL Biochemical Engineering and AstraZeneca, jointly funded by EPSRC and AstraZeneca. The role involves working across both UCL sites in London and AstraZeneca sites in Cambridge. The appointment is funded for two years in the first instance, with the potential for extension.

What you get

The salary for this full-time, fixed-term position ranges from £43,981 to £54,019 per annum. The role offers the opportunity to evaluate the economic and environmental impact of next-generation biomanufacturing technologies by leading the development of integrated techno-economic and life cycle assessment models. These tools incorporate uncertainty analysis and multi-objective optimisation to assess costs, carbon footprints, and resource impacts of emerging bioprocess strategies, contributing to real-world case studies in collaboration with AstraZeneca.

Requirements

Applicants must hold, or be near completion of, a PhD in a relevant discipline such as biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental sustainability, or a related field. Candidates are required to have demonstrated expertise in both techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment, alongside strong quantitative modelling and analytical skills. Additional expectations include experience working on interdisciplinary research projects, excellent communication skills, a collaborative approach, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to UCL's values and to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. While not essential, advantageous qualifications include prior experience in the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical sector, experience developing decision-support tools, familiarity with life cycle assessment software, and skills in optimisation and uncertainty analysis.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 2026-11-01.