Research Fellow in Polymer Chemistry - Chemistry

Position Details

Area: School of Chemistry in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322 with potential progression once in post to £42,792. PLEASE NOTE: Due to funding restrictions, the maximum starting salary allowed is £33,797

Band/Grade: Grade 7

Hours: Full time

Duration: Fixed term contract for up to 12 months

Closing date: 13th April 2021

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

Job Description

• To undertake research into the synthesis of stereoregular polymers made by step-growth or ring-opening polymerisation under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Dove.
• To characterise the molecular and physical/mechanical properties of the polymers made and to study their application in 3D-printing resins under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Dove.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the project as requested; attend regular project meetings; give regular presentations to the group; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• To play an active role in the Dove research group, participating in all group meetings and activities. You may supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
• Participate in the collaborative meetings and work with the project collaborators

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Perform research and collect data in the specified area to a high level of competency and quality
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of the immediate and surrounding literature
• Contribute to developing new ideas, directions, techniques and methods in order to advance the project and enhance it's quality
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Analyse and interpret data generated from all aspects of the project
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Contribute to writing scientific papers and bids for research funding
• Disseminate research findings by oral and other presentation in a range of fora from group meetings to research seminars and conferences etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to support staff and students in the group
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Person Specification

• First degree in Chemistry and normally, a higher degree (PhD) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Excellent research profile in the area of in the area of polymer synthesis, ideally by step growth or click polymerisation
• High level analytical capability and experience in use of characterisation of polymers by a range of techniques including NMR, IR, chromatography, DSC, TGA etc.
• Proven experience in materials characterisation methodologies such as (but not limited to) rheology, mechanical testing etc.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques including (but not limited to) 3D printing of polymer resins.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in the fields relevant to the project.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team on research programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to write and give presentations to both national and international audience standard and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to install and maintain relevant equipment and to train other personnel on operation of this equipment
• Excellent writing skills and record of success in published papers.

Informal enquiries can be made to Andrew Dove - a.dove@bham.ac.uk

The University is a family-friendly employer and the School of Chemistry welcomes flexible working to suit family or other commitments. The University has on-campus childcare facilities.

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community

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