Research Fellow in Organic Synthesis - School of Chemistry - 105576 - Grade 7

Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2025

Closing date: 13th April 2025

Interviews are scheduled for 17th April 2025. If you cannot make that date we will consider requests to hold interviews close to that date. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to give a 15 minute presentation (PowerPoint or equivalent) focusing on their own contributions and achievements in their past research, and including up to two slides outlining their fit to this role.

Background

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 110 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential. With a strong focus on our four Research Themes of Energy, Sustainability, Environment and Health, and a number of interdisciplinary Interest Groups serving as testbeds to explore new and emerging areas of interest, Birmingham is a dynamic place to work. We have ambitious plans to expand our research activity and are in an exciting period of growth: major investment from the University has delivered a state-of-the-art molecular sciences research building. This investment builds on a major recent expansion of our academic staff and investment in our teaching and learning provision, with our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, which opened September 2018, already revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry.

We are a collegiate School community. You will demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with the School, ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Organic Synthesis to explore the research and development of new catalysis-based methods for complex molecule synthesis. The appointed researcher will be based in the School of Chemistry and will work under the guidance of Dr Paul Davies alongside a team of postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers.

We have recently developed a new strategy to access C(sp3)-rich structures in a modular and efficient fashion. The successful applicant will build upon these preliminary results and our expertise in nitrenoid chemistry and pi-acid catalysis to develop state-of-the-art methodology for the preparation of molecules with desirable profiles for early stage drug discovery. The project combines studies in catalysis methods alongside target applications to explore novel chemical space of interest to the drug discovery sector.

The project builds upon our work in the field of nitrenoid chemistry, some papers from our group in that area include: Chem. Rec. 2021, 21, 3964, ACS Catal. 2021, 6357; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 13310.

The successful candidate will undertake the development and application of new synthetic methodology and syntheses as directed by Dr Paul Davies. In addition to communication of their results in meetings and conferences they will prepare drafts and high quality supporting information for publications arising from the research. The appointee will give oral presentations on their work, write internal reports and produce draft publications, and relevant communication skills are required. They will be expected to manage their own academic research and administrative activities, including small scale project management, co-ordinating multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines and timely interaction with collaborators, and to contribute more widely to research group activities.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in synthetic chemistry. The research requires expertise and problem-solving ability in synthesis, and skill in analytical methods. Experience in modern synthetic techniques is essential. The skills and motivation of the candidate are more important than a narrow definition of research area and we will provide the necessary training in areas not covered by the successful candidate's previous experience. Your application should include a cover letter highlighting how your skills and motivation make you suitable for this post.

This position is available to start immediately and has a fixed end-date of 30th September 2025 and so will be offered on a fixed term contract for a period of up to 6 months.

Formal applications must be submitted through the advertised channel and include a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to the effective operation and development of the research group
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

• To study and develop efficient new state-of-the-art catalysis-based methodology
• To design, perform and critically interpret experiments that achieve the project goals in a way that is consistent with the requirements for publication of high quality research
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• To collect, analyse, interpret and store research data as required for publication and open-data requirements in line with the funders expectations
• Prepare high quality data sections and supporting information for publication
• To work closely with other members of the project team to effectively transfer knowledge including the supervision of more junior researchers in the group
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• 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
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• To work in accordance with relevant safety policies and operating procedures and to undertake training as required
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in chemistry and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Dr Paul Davies, email: p.w.davies @bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.