Research Fellow - Electrochemistry

This interdisciplinary project will develop a portable, easy-to-use platform for rapid point-of-care infection diagnostics, based on waveguide-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This will be used for the detection of infection and diagnosis of disease, demonstrating application to clinical samples. You will be responsible for leading the development of the chemistry to immobilise antibodies, DNA and other biological detection molecules on to the surfaces of disposable waveguide structures. In addition, you will be leading the development of assay protocols for use with the instrument in surgeries, wards and remote communities and for collaboration with colleagues at Dstl and in Medicine in developing diagnostic applications of the instrument. The team, brings together scientists and engineers from the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), Chemistry and Medicine at the University of Southampton, and at Dstl. This research is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Healthcare Technologies Programme. ( http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/R011230/1 ).

To be successful you will have a PhD or have equivalent professional qualifications and experience in Chemistry and experience of surface modification chemistry. Ideally with a knowledge and experience of glass or oxide surface and biosensors/medical diagnostics assay development. As you will be working in a diverse multi-disciplinary team you will have a creative approach, be self-motivated and have both excellent experimental and team-work skills.

This role is fixed-term until 30/09/2022 due to funding restrictions.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in Chemistry. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in 2014 a and a second Silver award in 2017. Chemistry gives full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy* and onsite childcare facilities. For further information please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK's research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward. Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities. This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this IS through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities. You are welcome to contact Prof. Phil Bartlett by email at pnb@soton.ac.uk for further information.

*subject to qualifying criteria

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.