Sustainable Futures is currently recruiting a new Theme Lead: Materials.

As a Theme Lead, you will mobilise researchers from across the University – spanning different disciplines and career stages – to build strong interdisciplinary communities tackling urgent environmental challenges.

Sustainable Futures is a University of Manchester initiative that connects environmental expertise with wider societal agendas to develop integrated, sustainable solutions. Working with partners locally, nationally and globally, we harness world-class research to support interventions that secure a sustainable future for all. Our work focuses on building capacity and communities within the University, fostering interdisciplinary teams, and supporting the people and projects addressing today’s most complex environmental challenges. 

Key responsibilities and activities:  

  • Provide strategic direction to the theme and understand the breadth of activities at UoM within that area:  
  • Identifying specific research and innovation communities, critical mass of activity within the theme, and any gaps in research and innovation expertise.  
  • Mapping the theme ecosystem: engaging relevant stakeholders (internally and externally) and identifying synergies and overlaps with other themes, with support from the SF team.  
  • Community building:  
  • Raising the external profile of the platform and theme area.   
  • Building on collaborations with the city-region and engaging with national initiatives.  
  • Building inclusive communities with researchers at all career stages and from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on ECRs.  
  • Report on recent activities to the Theme Leads meeting and the Management Board and coordinate the production of a short annual report on your community’s activity.  
  • Represent SF internally and externally at conferences, meetings, workshops, events, etc.  
  • Provide support to specific SF initiatives to extend the overall capacity of the platform, including but not limited to:  
  • Capacity building and supporting interdisciplinary funding bids – engaging with stakeholders across industry, policy, local community partners and the third sector to develop partnerships and attract external funding.  
  • Peer-reviewing funding applications. 
  • Supporting and developing SF teaching and learning initiatives (e.g. SF Foundations course).  

Time Allocation 

The workload allocation for this leadership position is set at 0.2 FTE with the possibility for co-leadership sharing the FTE workload. Candidates are expected to discuss their application with their Departmental or Divisional Head, who should provide a simple statement of support via email, confirming their awareness of the job description and support for the application and associated time commitment. 

This position has a fixed three-year term (reviewed annually). Applicants must be a permanent member of academic staff. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and are particularly keen to receive applications from underrepresented communities.  

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit an expression of interest by 5pm on 24th November 2025 via this online form. Successful applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place online, either on Tuesday 6th January (afternoon) or Wednesday 7th January (morning).

If you would like to discuss this role in further detail, please contact sustainablefutures@manchester.ac.uk.    

Materials  

The Materials theme is catalysing a transformation in how we understand, design and deploy the materials that underpin modern life and support sustainability. We are working to build a sustainable materials economy that not only powers innovation but also respects planetary boundaries and secures a shared future. This requires thinking holistically – tracing the journey of materials from discovery and resource extraction through production and use, to repair, recovery and remanufacture – and embedding circularity, resilience and longevity at every stage. 

Bringing together world-leading research across advanced materials, materials 4.0, additive manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy and digital innovation, we will generate solutions that respond to the urgent crises of climate change and environmental degradation. This vision of materials innovation goes beyond technical discovery to confront the social, ethical and economic challenges of resource use and production. It spans the full spectrum of sustainable materials and materials for sustainability – from the extraction and manufacture of critical resources to the discovery of new materials that will enable a sustainable energy transition. By ensuring that principles of just transition and circularity underpin this work, and by engaging with communities, industries and policymakers, we will help shape material practices and systems that are fairer, more resilient and aligned with the needs of a sustainable future. The Materials theme will help to raise the profile of Manchester’s extensive expertise in sustainable materials and play a significant role in adding value to the broad landscape of materials research at the University of Manchester.