Research Associate in Oxide Materials Synthesis in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

We are seeking an ambitious and talented Research Associate with expertise in inorganic materials synthesis to join an exciting new interdisciplinary project. The project aims to create a step-change in protein-templated synthesis. You will work within a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team of researchers to develop synthesis methods for complex oxide materials. You will contribute to the overall direction and success of the project, using your practical research skills alongside reporting and dissemination.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• This role will use protein-mediated synthesis methods to control and direct crystallisation of functional oxide materials, with a focus on generalised methods which control size and shape.
• Perform associated sample characterisation and analysis as directed by the project.
• Keep a detailed and accurate log book of all work.
• Work independently and as a team to meet project objectives.
• Follow mandatory Health & Safety policies and procedures including CoSHH, and standard operating procedures.
• Liaise with the academic principal investigator and other academic co-investigators and collaborators.
• Prepare reports for group meetings, including presentation of results to others within the project group.
• Carry out strategic planning over the duration of the project in conjunction with other project members.
• Read academic papers, journals, books and professional literature to understand the context of the project.
• Disseminate research findings to project staff and other stakeholders.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification Criteria:

• A good honours degree in a relevant subject (Essential)
• PhD in materials chemistry or similar (or equivalent relevant experience) (Essential)
• Practical experience of synthesis development (Essential)
• Experience of template-mediated synthesis (Desirable)
• Practical experience of standard materials characterisation techniques including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy; FTIR etc (Essential)
• Experience using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry for magnetic materials (Desirable)
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of work to tight deadlines (Essential)
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills (Essential)
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office packages (Essential)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team (Essential)

Further Information:

• Grade 7 Salary £38,784 - £44,746 per annum
• Work arrangement: Full-time
• Duration: End date 29th Feb 2028, with the possibility to extend to 31st Aug 2029 subject to review

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact cmbe-staffing-contracts@sheffield.ac.uk.