Materials Processing Institute

Applications are invited for a fellowship scheme established in memory of chemical engineer and former Teesside MP Dr Ashok Kumar.

Jointly funded by the Middlesbrough-based Materials Processing Institute and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), it provides a three-month placement working alongside policy makers in the influential Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST).

After the placement, the successful candidate will also work with IChemE’s Learned Society Committee to share their learnings and knowledge on policy with members.

Applications to the Ashok Kumar Fellowship, which are open from 2 March to 18 April 2022 are invited from engineers in their final year, or who have completed in the last 12 months, an undergraduate master’s degree in a discipline related to chemical engineering, process engineering, materials science, applied chemistry, or who have equivalent industry experience. Applications will also be accepted from PhD and EngD students conducting research in a related field with permission from their supervisors to suspend their studies for three months.

The Fellowship was established in 2010 in memory of IChemE Fellow Ashok Kumar, who at the time of his sudden death that year was Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East and the only Chartered Chemical Engineer in the House of Commons.

Amber Keegan, a PhD student in chemical engineering and chemistry at the University of Sheffield, is the current Ashok Kumar Fellow, and has produced a briefing on cyber conflict.

Chris McDonald, Chief Executive of the Materials Processing Institute, said: “Just as Ashok Kumar was a pioneering engineer in politics, so through this fellowship we are fostering a greater understanding between scientific experts and political decision makers. All of the major societal challenges of this century, from climate change to artificial intelligence, to pandemic response, require a deft combination of science, engineering and public policy. Ashok Kumar Fellows have the opportunity to make their contribution to this important aspect of public service.”

Lydia Harriss, Senior Physical Sciences Adviser at POST, said: “The Ashok Kumar Fellowship makes a key contribution to POST’s work programme and forms an important bridge between Parliament and the chemical and process engineering communities. Our talented Fellows have brought their research, writing and analysis skills to bear on a range of POST briefings over the years. They in turn have gained experience of writing impartially for a policy audience and engaging with diverse stakeholders, while developing a unique insight into the UK Parliament.”

Alexandra Meldrum, IChemE Vice President Learned Society, said: “If you’re a chemical engineer, with an interest in understanding how chemical engineers can make a positive contribution to shaping UK science policy, then I’d strongly encourage you to apply for the Ashok Kumar Fellowship. You’ll get a first-hand experience working alongside parliamentarians and policymakers.

The three-month placement will take place at a suitable time expected to be between September 2022 and May 2023.

For more information on the eligibility criteria, the application pack and to read the briefing notes of previous Fellows, visit https://www.mpiuk.com/ashok-kumar-fellowship.htm

ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MATERIALS PROCESSING INSTITUTE

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Douglas 01325 363 436

Notes to editors

Materials Processing Institute

The Materials Processing Institute is a research and innovation centre serving global steel and materials organisations that work in advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy, and digital technologies.

The Institute has served as the UK’s national steel innovation centre since 1944 having been set up by Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime government just before D-Day to equip the British steel industry for post-war reconstruction. It celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2019.

Through collaboration with its customers, the Institute provides a range of technology and R&D based services and consultancy. It also has pilot and demonstration facilities and an SME Technology Centre to support supply chain businesses with the development of new technologies and products.

Works with: steel, metals and alloys, chemical processes, aerospace and defence, energy, mining and quarrying, construction, rail, transport, and infrastructure, offshore, subsea, and nuclear.

The Materials Processing Institute includes developments funded through Tees Valley Combined Authority, through the Local Growth Fund (Growth Deal).

For more information: https://www.mpiuk.com/

IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution worldwide for the benefit of society. We support the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of over 30,000 members in more than 100 countries.

We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.

More information: www.icheme.org

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)

POST produces impartial, non-partisan, and peer-reviewed briefings, designed to make scientific research accessible to the UK Parliament. The briefings come in the form of POSTnotes and POSTbriefs. Timely and forward thinking, they cover the areas of biology and health, energy and environment, physical sciences and computing, and social sciences. POST runs seminars, receptions and other events on science and technology topics. It also runs several fellowship schemes with Research Councils, learned societies and charities, through which PhD students?and other researchers?are sponsored to spend three months working at POST.

More information: www.post.parliament.uk