Research Associate/Fellow: Digital Automation

Overview

Job Purpose To make a leading contribution to a project working with Prof Lee Cronin. (Complex Chemical Systems Group – www.croninlab.com). The researcher will be working in the area of the digital automation of organic and inorganic self-assembling systems. The successful candidate will have a PhD in either inorganic or materials chemistry with some experience of programming, computer science and single crystal X-Ray analysis. The position will be to explore the self-assembly of simple compounds into complex systems using automated digital tools for synthesis, monitoring and analysis. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. Experience in robotics, crystallography, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry and inline analysis welcome as is an interest or experience in theory, programming or computation.

For appointment at grade 8 some postdoctoral experience in multiple areas as listed above, or at the interdisciplinary interface and/or some expertise in running a team would be required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
2. Take a role in the investigating self-assembling supramolecular systems.
3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
6. Take a role and lead as appropriate in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
7. Take a role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (eg. Academic and Industrial Partners).
8. Take a role and lead as appropriate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
11. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
12. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI.
13. For appointment at Grade 8 Take the lead in identifying and attracting new sources of independent and external research funding and researchers into this research area as opportunities permit to support future research.
14. To present research findings at high profile national and international conferences, seminars and meetings to raise the profile of the research group in order to enhance the research strength of the School.
15. To take a primary role in working with current Cronin-group industrial collaborators, centres, and potential industrial end users as well as identifying and establishing new collaborative agreements to support the research of the group and School.
16. To make a leading contribution to the management of the team/project and sustain an enhanced level of academic outputs and profile.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

• A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
• A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of supramolecular/inorganic synthesis and digital reaction control
• A3 An understanding of programming in a variety of programming languages including C, C++, C#, Python.
• A4 knowledge of the theory and practice of structure elucidation by single crystal X-Ray diffraction, and other techniques for materials characterisation.
• A5 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism
• A6 Knowledge of specialist IT software as appropriate

For appointment at Grade 8:

• A5 Some reputation in, and insight into, a relevant internationally competitive research area.
• A6 Knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area
• A7 Demonstrable knowledge of or interest in theory & computation.

Desirable:

• B1 Demonstrable knowledge of or interest in theory & computation.

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Skills in Synthesis, Reaction Optimisation, X-Ray diffractometry and Mass Spectrometry or other relevant analytical tools
• C2 Skills in X-ray diffraction, solution and refinement
• C3 Research creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate
• C4 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
• C5 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
• C6 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
• C7 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

For appointment at Grade 8:

• C8 Able to work both individually as well as part of a team and manage staff members as appropriate to disseminate findings to colleagues;
• C9 Strong cross-discipline collaborative ability, including evidence of working across industry and academia;
• C10 Able to work in both industrial and academic environments with a good understanding of key legislative and policy frameworks

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Sufficient relevant research experience, normally including postdoctoral experience or equivalent experience.
• E2 Experience of inorganic, metal-organic or complex chemical systems synthesis
• E3 Experience of scientific writing
• E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner
• E5 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences
• E6 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities
• E7 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
• E8 Experience in undertaking independent research

For appointment at Grade 8:

• E9 Experience of studying the mechanism of self-assembly processes
• E10 Experience of leading and contributing to applications for research grants
• E11 Experience in undertaking independent experimental, theoretical and applied research

Closing date: 10 October 2025

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7/8, £41,064 – £46,049 / £50,253 – £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 1 year.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.