Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organometallic Materials Chemistry - Durham

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organometallic Materials Chemistry – Durham

The Role and Department

The Chemistry Department at Durham University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students and postdoctoral workers. The Chemistry Department is a vibrant research environment with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment appropriate for all aspects of this work. The project is funded by RCUK as part of an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration between Durham University, Lancaster University, the University of Cambridge and an industrial partner (Quantum Base).

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in organometallic materials chemistry with a particular emphasis on multi-step synthesis and characterisation of transition metal complexes with tailor-made ligands. The overall aim of the project is to use new molecules to develop nanoscale switches and devices for applications in information and communication technology and energy management. The research project will be supervised by Professor Martin R. Bryce. The collaborating groups at Cambridge (Professor Chris Ford) and Lancaster (Professors Ben Robinson and Colin Lambert) specialise in experimental nanoscale transport measurements, nanoscale device engineering and computation. For relevant references to our background work see Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020 , 59, 882; . Nanoscale Horizons 2022 , 7 , 1201; . Nanoscale Advances 2023 , 5, 2299; . ACS Omega 2024 , 9 , 38303; .

The successful applicant will have responsibility for the following aspects of the project under the direction of the research supervisor.

Key responsibilities:

• Laboratory work: design, multi-step synthesis and purification of new organometallic complexes (approx. 75% of the contracted time per year).
• Rigorous characterisation of new organic ligands and organometallic complexes using an array of techniques such as HPLC, NMR, absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, crystal growth for X-ray analysis.
• Critical thinking and problem solving, especially related to (a) the design and synthesis of new molecules; (b) understanding structure-property relationships.
• Manage, plan and prioritise own research within the agreed framework of the project, including planning several weeks in advance to meet deadlines.
• Work with other colleagues in the project, as appropriate, to identify new topics for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Write detailed, accurate and accessible reports of experimental work undertaken, and draw conclusions from the results obtained.
• Write, or assist writing, the results of the research in a form suitable for presentation at meetings, patents, and manuscripts for submission to world-class journals.
• Interact closely with collaborators and project partners in Lancaster and Cambridge. This will include presenting results in regular video calls, and visiting their laboratories.
• Contribute to the general day-to-day running of the laboratory to a high standard. This will involve, for example, sharing resources, maintaining supplies of solvents, cryogens and chemicals.
• Attend national and international conferences (in-person and on-line) to present results of the research.
• Deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• Contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• Engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• Engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the post as requested by the research supervisor and to contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required.

This post is fixed term for 30 months. The funding is available from 01 May 2025 for this fixed period only. The project is time-limited and will end on 30 April 2028. The successful candidate will ideally be in post as soon as possible after 01 May 2025, and preferably by 31 July 2025. The start date can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.