Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour Future Fibres Network+: Decarbonising the fashion and textiles industry This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a progressive and impactful research network (Network Plus) that aims to support a more sustainable and responsible fashion and textiles industry. Situated in Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), this post will work across disciplines, research institutes, and industry to help embed a range of key disciplines, including social and environmental sciences, to facilitate a paradigm shift in the UK’s fashion and textiles sector. The Institute wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Professors Richard Blackburn (LITAC) and Paul Kay (School of Geography). The Future Fibres Network+ project aims to decarbonise the UK fashion and textiles industry by embedding environmental science at the heart of the sector through systematic, circular and sustainable principles. You will join an interactive, cross-disciplinary cohort of researchers working across five leading UK Universities: University of Leeds, University of Exeter, University of Huddersfield, University of Plymouth and University of the Arts London. You will be collectively involved in data collection, workshops, design sprints and other activities to build the capacity and capability of the network from within. Whilst promoting interdisciplinary activity, focus for this position will be on better understand the ecological impacts and risk assessment aspects of textile fibres and processing chemicals, for example in defining the risks of such pollutants and other industry practices and the circular interventions that could address them. You will work to collect data on environmental impacts of chemicals and microfibres generated from textiles, map existing knowledge regarding environmental impacts and how to counter them, engage with stakeholders involved in the fashion and textiles industry across the full lifecycle (including manufacturers and designers, retailers, circular economy innovators and waste managers) and research the impacts of existing practices.  This fixed term UKRI funded post is available from 1st February 2024 until 31st January 2025, due to funding limitations, but there is a high likelihood of the opportunity to continue working within the wider Future Fibres Network+ project for a further 12 months beyond the completion of the post term at The University of Leeds. To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:  Professor Richard Blackburn, Project Lead Email: r.s.blackburn@leeds.ac.uk Location: Leeds - Main Campus Faculty/Service: Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Cultures School/Institute: School of Design Category: Research Contract Type:  Fixed Term (12 months to complete a specific task or time limited work, including the need for specific expertise or additional resource for a project.) Further details: Candidate Brief