Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Chemistry

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Job Number: 25000039

Department: Department of Chemistry

Grade: 7 - £37,999 per annum

Contract Duration: Fixed Term - Full Time, 18 Months

Closing Date: 17-Feb-2025, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The Chemistry Department at Durham University is one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of its students and research associates. The Department is particularly strong in the area of Materials Research with excellent groups working on crystallography, diffraction and crystal growth – relevant to the current project.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Chemistry with a particular emphasis on Crystallisation. The research project is led by Prof. Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza. The successful applicant will help develop a new set-up to study crystal growth of molecular crystals and will collect data on several systems. The project is in collaboration with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) and the fellow is expected to visit them in Cambridge regularly. The successful applicant will be expected to independently develop a crystal growth set up which uses imaging and image analyses, to automate steps of the process and to analyse the data in a number of systems of pharmaceutical interest. Understanding of crystal growth and knowledge of chemistry/chemical engineering is a must.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To 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.

This post is fixed term for 18 months. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. While 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. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01/05/25.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme; as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). Parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme, and discounts with local bus and train companies. A genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally with a comprehensive range of development courses and access to qualifications. Support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities. On-site nursery and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave. Opportunities for staff volunteering activities. Discounts available via our benefits portal. A salary sacrifice scheme for tax savings on benefits. Assistance with moving to Durham and covering most visa costs.

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A good first degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Crystallisation or a related subject.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Experience in crystal growth and imaging.

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.