Research Associate in Antimicrobial Photocatalyst Development

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - Research Associate in Antimicrobial Photocatalyst Development
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work on a 24 month project on antimicrobial textile development, through incorporation of catalysts into cotton based textiles funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This project involves a collaboration between Dr Edwards (School of Chemistry) and colleagues in the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine.

This collaborative project focuses on the preparation of semiconductor photocatalysts which have high activity under visible light. The catalysts will be immobilised into textiles using a formulation and equipment that is compatible with scaled manufacturing. The candidate should have experience in heterogeneous catalyst preparation and characterisation, as well as some experience in performing microbiological assays.

Further information is available at the following group webpages:
Dr Jennifer Edwards: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/38516-edwards-jennifer

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact Dr Jennifer Edward (EdwardsJK@cardiff.ac.uk; +44 (029 2087 9398).

For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact Dr Mahmoud Akhtar (AkhtarM@cardiff.ac.uk; +44 (029 2087 0680).

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available from January 2025 for 2 years.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 19564BR.

Salary: £40,247- £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate that an appointment be made above £40,247 per annum (Grade 6.32).

Closing date: Friday, 20 December 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply - please check back periodically for details.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment.

We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research within photocatalysis and scaling the production of a catalyst-textile hybrid and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

1. To conduct research within antimicrobial textile development, through incorporation of catalysts into cotton based textiles, and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
2. To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
3. To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
4. To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
5. To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
6. To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
7. To participate in School research activities.
8. To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

1. To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School's profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities.
2. To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
3. To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
4. To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity.
5. Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

We are seeking to recruit for a highly skilled and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to become part of our interdisciplinary team (Schools of Chemistry and Pharmacy) that are actively researching environmental applications of photocatalyst hybrid materials. This post is funded from a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant and is specifically targeting applied solutions using technologies developed in house, with a view to rapid translation and commercialisation in Kenya.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
   i. Heterogeneous catalysis
   ii. Photocatalysis
   iii. Antimicrobial efficacy evaluation
2. Knowledge of current status of research in photocatalysis mediated disinfection.
3. Proven ability to publish in international journals and present at national/international conferences.
4. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working

1. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
2. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other

1. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
2. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

1. Track record of successful participation in multidisciplinary project teams.
2. Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
4. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.