Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Chemistry

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Job Description – Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Chemistry

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.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people\’s lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University; it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

The Department
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.

The Role

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.
• [Any other specific responsibilities].

This post is fixed term for 18 months [e.g. the funding is available from 01/05/25 for this fixed period only]

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.

Working at Durham

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.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries:

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application:

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process: e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

How to Apply

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.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
• the name and contact details of two referees.

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person, to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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.

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

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