The Department of Chemical Engineering has a thriving and talented postdoctoral staff community who are vital to our ability to deliver world class research and teaching. We value their contributions immensely and, along with providing professional opportunities, we ensure they are involved in all levels of key decision making through feedback initiatives and by inviting them to serve on departmental committees.

Events

Postdoctoral staff are invited to department social events such as the monthly all staff mixers and summer barbeque, as well as postdoctoral-only networking and social events. These are organised by the Postdoc Committee who have a dedicated budget with which they provide opportunities for professional development, networking and fun.

Postdoc events include Spotlight, where researchers present their work followed by a social with food and drink, and the Career Development Seminar series. Previous topics have included:

  • Top tips to communicate your research to non-specialists in the contemporary world
  • Transition from research dependence to independence
  • Building the foundation to a successful Career

Invites to events are often sent by email or via the Departmental Bulletin.

Postdoc Symposium

They also organise and host the annual Postdoc Symposium which provides an opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to showcase their research and where the Sir William Wakeham Award is presented. The Wakeham Award recognises early career researchers who have made a significant contribution to their research field and have advanced their professional development, and has a £2000 prize associated with it.

Current postdoctoral staff should visit the Intranet for further information including training, development, events and socials.

RAEng Research Fellowship

The Department is now accepting RAEng Research Fellowships applications as part of the College shortlisting process.

  • Forms to submit: 1) complete application (see template (Word)), 2) statements of support from up to 3 main collaborators and 3) draft HoD letter that will be finalised if you are shortlisted (you can reach out to Prof Camille Petit and your host if you have questions on the draft HoD letter).
  • Submit your application to Prof Camille Petit (camille.petit@imperial.ac.uk) with “RAEng research fellowship application – FIRSTNAME SURNAME” as the subject line.
  • Departmental shortlisting will take into account the RAEng assessment criteria and consider the suitability of hosting the fellowship in this department, in terms of how the proposed research ties in with and complements existing activities.
  • Timeline: see below.
StageDate
Candidates submit their proposal to Professor Camille Petit Wednesday 21 June, 17.00
Departmental shortlisting panel Tuesday 27 June
Cross-College shortlisting panel July 2023
Internal interviews of shortlisted candidates Late July-early August 2023
Deadline for submission to RAEng Late September-early October 2023

Postdoc committee

  • Lyes Kahouadji

    Placeholder image

    Personal details

    Lyes Kahouadji Chair of the Postdoc Committee Other roles: Postdoc Committee chair, PFDC rep, EDCC member Imperial College Research Fellow

    About

    As the committee chair, my aim is to provide support for the postdocs in the department, ensure that we consistently deliver a beneficial programme of events, and build an engaged postdoc community.

  • Akashaditya Das

    Placeholder image

    Personal details

    Akashaditya Das Postdoc

  • Yuval Elani

    Headshot of Yuval Elani

    Personal details

    Yuval Elani Postdoc Champion, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Lecturer

    About

    I keep in regular contact with the PFDC reps to ensure that postdocs have a voice at the Departmental and Faculty level and assist with organising relevant events. Additionally, I can provide advice on available development training and support. 

  • Nadin Moustafa

    Placeholder image

    Personal details

    Nadin Moustafa Postdoc

  • Paulina Quintanilla

    Placeholder image

    Affiliations

    I am a PDRA from the Papathanasiou’s Lab Group at the Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering. My expertise is in dynamic modelling for model-based control and optimisation. Currently, I am working on supply chain optimisation for healthcare manufacturing, design space, machine learning, and control for bioprocesses and energy systems.

  • Sneha Saunders

    Photo of Sneha Saunders

    Personal details

    Sneha Saunders Administration Manager and Staffing Coordinator

    About

    I am the key contact for postdoctoral research staff in relation to contracts, welfare, probation, visas, appraisals and ongoing advice and support. I also work with the PFDC Reps and the PFDC to organise events and develop strategies to support research staff.

  • Talia Shmool

    Talia Shmool

    Personal details

    Talia Shmool Imperial College Research Fellow

  • Vivek Verma

    Personal details

    Vivek Verma Postdoc