Postdoctoral Research Associate in Inorganic Chemistry (Homogeneous Catalysis)

Job Description

Our Client is looking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Inorganic Chemistry (Homogeneous Catalysis).ResponsibilitiesThe main duties and responsibilities of the job involve conducting individual and collaborative research. The post-holder will have specific responsibility for the following areas of research:

• To undertake laboratory work: synthesis and characterisation of organometallic catalyst precursors, catalytic performance measurements using a dedicated high pressure autoclave reactor (it is anticipated this will be approx. 60% of the PDRAs time).
• To work with colleagues at the University of Bristol to undertake DoE and PCA computational studies.
• To apply critical thinking and problem solving, especially related to (a) the design of experiments; (b) understanding pro-catalyst structure-activity relationships, discussing with the Research Supervisors and industry partner, offering creative or innovativesolutions.
• To manage, plan, and prioritise research within the project and contribute to longer-term planning and meeting deadlines.
• To conduct a research project under the direction of the Research Supervisors and, where appropriate, the industry partner.
• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through reports, presentations, and discussions, which may also lead to the presentation of research papers in conferences, publications, or patents.
• To write detailed, accurate, and accessible reports of all experimental work and data analyses undertaken and draw conclusions from the results obtained, which will be shared with all project partners.
• To collect, store, and archive high quality experimental data in a manner compliant with mandatory open access requirements.
• To publish high quality outputs, including writing, or assisting with writing, the results of the research in a form suitable for presentation at meetings, as patents and/or manuscripts for submission to world-class journals under the direction of the ResearchSupervisors and industry partner.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to various academic and non-academic audiences, interacting closely with project partners, presenting results during meetings or video calls as appropriate.
• To contribute to the general day-to-day running of the laboratory to a high standard, as a senior member of their team. This will involve, for example, ensuring a safe working environment, undertaking COSHH and risk assessments, passing on expertise toother colleagues, sharing resources, maintaining supplies and equipment.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors (including from the industrial partner) and students as appropriate.
• To work with the Research Supervisor and other colleagues, as appropriate to identify areas for further research, develop new research methods, and extend the research portfolio.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment, which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as requested by the Research Supervisor and to contribute to the overall activities of the wider research team and department as required.

The RequirementsEssential:

1. Qualifications

• A good first degree in Chemistry
• A PhD (or have submitted the thesis) in the general area of synthetic organometallic chemistry.

1. Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Expertise and experience in synthetic organometallic chemistry using both Schlenk line and glovebox techniques, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and an excellent knowledge of fundamental catalyst science.

1. Skills

• Outstanding skills in synthetic organometallic chemistry using both Schlenk line and glovebox techniques, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and an excellent knowledge of fundamental catalyst science.
• Ability to collect appropriate analytical data required for publications, patents, reports to sponsors, and project partners.
• Demonstrable ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team, including actively participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and to work to the highest health and safety standards.
• Demonstrable ability to prepare and deliver accurate written reports and oral presentations.
• Ability, willingness, and desire to learn new skills across synthetic inorganic and homogeneous catalysis and aspects of computational chemistry required to meet project objectives.

Keyskills :
ChemistryJournalsMeasurementsResearch ProjectCritical Thinking