KTP Associate in Molecular Modelling and Biochar Fertiliser

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum

School of Chemistry / CSE

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: for 30 months

The Opportunity: 

We are looking for a KTP Associate in Molecular Modelling and Biochar Fertiliser Design to join a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of Edinburgh and Black Bull Biochar Ltd. 

You will lead the molecular modelling and model-guided formulation work for a new generation of granulated biochar-fertiliser products for cereal crops. The role will combine computational chemistry, soil/environmental chemistry, materials characterisation and applied product development, translating molecular-level understanding of biochar–nutrient interactions into practical formulation rules for spring barley and winter wheat fertiliser prototypes. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a researcher who wants to apply molecular modelling to real agricultural and environmental challenges while working closely with an innovative industrial partner. You will be employed by the University of Edinburgh and will work directly with Black Bull Biochar Ltd, University researchers, SRUC agronomy specialists and the wider KTP team. 

This post is full-time, hours to be confirmed, and fixed-term for 30 months. Flexible or hybrid working may be considered where compatible with laboratory, industry-site and project-delivery requirements.  

Your skills and attributes for success:  

• A PhD in computational chemistry, materials chemistry, environmental chemistry, soil science, chemical engineering, agricultural/environmental science or a related discipline. 
• Strong experience in molecular modelling, scientific computing and reproducible data analysis, ideally using HPC resources and molecular simulation tools relevant to surfaces, porous materials, aqueous systems or nutrient adsorption. 
• Knowledge of soil chemistry, environmental chemistry or fertiliser science, including nutrient speciation, nitrogen/phosphorus cycling, adsorption/desorption, pH and soil-solution chemistry. 
• Ability to translate computational and experimental evidence into applied formulation decisions, technical recommendations, standard operating procedures and product-development workflows. 
• Clear motivation to work with industry and to apply research to commercial product development. Previous industry, commercial R&D, start-up, agriculture, fertiliser, biochar or environmental technology experience would be advantageous. 

Click to view a copy of the full Job Description (opens new browser tab)  

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

• A competitive salary of UE07 
• A 30-month fixed-term opportunity to use your skills on real agricultural and environmental challenges, on an applied research and innovation project with direct commercial and carbon-removal relevance. 
• The opportunity to work across computational modelling, materials characterisation, formulation science, soil chemistry and industrial product development, translating molecular-level understanding into practical biochar-fertiliser products. 
• As a KTP Associate, you will be part of the national Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org) scheme and entitled to a dedicated training budget, specialist management training and professional development opportunities, alongside access to University of Edinburgh research and HPC facilities. 
• The chance to work with Black Bull Biochar (www.blackbullbiochar.com), a growing UK company scaling biochar for soil health, crop resilience and carbon removal, as it expands across Edinburgh, London and Manchester. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. 
• Comprehensive University staff benefits, including a generous holiday entitlement, a defined-benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion 

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.  

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab) 

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note 

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.  

Interviews will be held October 2026.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh has a long and distinguished history. The first Chemistry Professor was appointed to the Chair in 1713 and the Edinburgh University student-led Chemical Society is regarded as the oldest chemical society in the world. The School is run as a single academic unit with approximately 160 staff (made up of academic, postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff) and 800 students (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students). Our vision is for all students and staff to harness their curiosity, utilising outstanding and diverse talents to pursue knowledge that can be used to tackle global challenges and improve people’s lives. Sustainability, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of all our school activities.

School of Chemistry researchers deliver advances in both core and interdisciplinary chemistry across five overlapping themes: Catalysis & Synthesis, the Chemistry-Biology Interface, Functional Materials, Structural Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics, and Energy, Environment & Sustainable Chemistry. Our research underpins solutions to major global challenges including health, climate change, and sustainability, and we collaborate extensively with other disciplines and industry partners to take our research towards use. Our 55 group leaders work with a similar number of postdoctoral researchers and approx.155 research students to deliver £32M of current research grants across government, charity and industry funders, as well as a wide variety of public engagement activities.

Along with the University of St Andrews we formed EaStCHEM in 2004 to combine the research activities of two of Scotland’s leading schools of chemistry. Combined, we are the largest chemistry unit research in the UK. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), we were one of only three chemistry submissions to achieve a 100% “world-leading” score for our research environment. We hold a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of excellence in science, engineering and technology employment in higher education relating to supporting women in Science. We are particularly proud of establishing the Christina Miller Fellowships, which have enabled seven talented postdoctoral researchers from under-represented groups to establish themselves as independent group leaders.

For further information about our school is available on the School of Chemistry Website (https://chem.ed.ac.uk/) (opens in a new browser tab).