Vijay Kumar Thakur

I am a polymer chemist by qualification and materials scientist by training. My research activities span the disciplines of Biorefining, Biomaterials, Green Chemistry, Composites, Manufacturing, Nanomaterials, Polymers, and all aspects of Advanced and Sustainable Materials. 

My group's current research efforts focus on the design, synthesis, characterization and applications of monomers/ polymers from biorenewable resources; biomaterials;  environmental remediation; utilization of waste materials; biofuels and biobased products; recycling; smart materials;  functional surface coatings; polymer aerogel/hydrogel, photocatalysis, sensing, nanotechnology and nanomaterials.

My roles are:

• Lead the Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre  
• Lead research into biorefining, sustainable and advanced materials to understand how the synthesis, composition and macromolecular design affects the overall properties with an eye towards engineering effective and affordable next-generation materials for agriculture, biomedical, automotive and aerospace towards a sustainable bioeconomy.
• Supervision of staff, students and visitors; teaching and external examinations
• Expert committee member for external bodies

Currently Supervising/ Co-Supervising Several PhD students  in the Disciplines of Biotechnology; Chemistry; Polymer Science; Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering

Visiting Researchers, Postdocs, PhD and Master Students with Self Funding/ Funding from their Home Countries are most welcome to join our vibrant multicultural research team @SRUC. We particularly welcome hardworking; independent;  self-motivated, and team players who enjoy hands-on experimental work with excellent analytical, communication, learning and writing skills.

Fellowship Opportunities :

I am always open to support strong candidates for various Fellowships. Information about some of the appropriate fellowships, the application procedure and closing dates, can be found via the following links:

BBSRC Fellowships: https://bbsrc.ukri.org/skills/leadership/how-fellowships/
EPSRC Fellowships: https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/fellows/
Ernest Rutherford Fellowships: https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/fellowships/ernest-rutherford-fellowship/
Marie Curie Fellowships: https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/
NERC Fellowships: https://nerc.ukri.org/funding/available/fellowships/
Newton International Fellowships: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/newton-international/
Royal Society University Research Fellowships: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/university-research/
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/dorothy-hodgkin-fellowship/
Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowships: https://www.raeng.org.uk/grants-prizes/grants/support-for-research/raeng-research-fellowship
STFC Fellowships: https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/fellowships/
Scottish Enterprise/Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Enterprise Fellowships: https://www.rse.org.uk/awards/enterprise-fellowships/
The Leverhulme Trust Fellowships: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/research-fellowships

 @BAMRC

“Intelligent engineering coatings for in-manufacture and in-service monitoring of critical safety products (CoatIN)” EPSRC (EP/T024607/1); 1/08/20 → 31/07/24

“PHYTO4METAL: Development of an integrated phytomining system for the recovery of metal nanoparticles from mine waste” BBSRC (BB/X011712/1); 1/02/ 2023 → 31/01/25  

 “Self-charging biocompatible supercapacitors for enabling on-time and efficient drug delivery for chronic diseases” The Royal Society; 1/11/22 → 30/10/24

“RESAS 22-27: SRUC-c4-1 Building the Circular Economy: Sustainable Technologies, Green Skills and Upscaling Behaviours” SFC; 1/04/22 → 31/03/27

“Development of High-Value Bio-Products from Wild-Harvested and Farmed Scottish Seaweed” IBioIC; 1/11/22 → 31/05/23

“Harnessing the benefits and potential of Hemp within a Scottish context: Towards a sustainable circular economy” UIF (SFC); 1/11/22 → 31/07/23

“Synthesis and Characterization of Sustainable and Functional Materials for Advanced Applications” TU; 30/03/22 → 31/12/23

“Cellulose-Based Sustainable Materials From UK Biorefinery”, SRUC, 15/11/21 → 30/05/25

“Biorefining For a Sustainable Circular Economy: Strengthening Academic and Industrial Capacities”, UIF (SFC) 1/11/21 → 31/07/22 

“Wastes to Plastics”, CN; 1/10/21 → 30/06/22

“Building on our network of academic and industry partners to create a delivery platform and directory of industry-led project concepts for digital and high-value dairy production in South-West Scotland.” UIF (SFC) 1/09/20 → 31/07/21 

“Indo-UK led Curriculum Development Through Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing for the Future” Royal Academy of Engineering (IAPP18-19\295) 2019-2021

 “4D Micro- Stereolithography Printing of Scaffolds using Plant Oil Polymers and Graphene for Various Functional Biomedical Applications” UKIERI (DST/INT/UK/P-164/2017) 2018-2021

Previously held positions as:

Research Lecturer @ School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, UK

Staff Scientist @ School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, USA 

Research Scientist, Temasek Laboratories @ NTU, Research Techno Plaza, Nanyang Technological University – Singapore

Postdoctoral Research Associate @ Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, USA

Visiting Research Fellow @ Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering - LHU – Taiwan

Editorship and Editorial Board (Selected Only)

Editor (Book Series): Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials (Springer)

Editorial Advisory Board:  Industrial Crops and Products