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Job Description
Position Details
School of Chemistry
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 October 2026
Closing date: 7th August 2025
Background
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Inorganic Chemistry to perform research into the synthesis and structures of mixed-component metal-ligand complexes and clusters, and assembly into mixed-component metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The researcher will work with Dr Hamish Hei-Man Yeung on an EPSRC project, which seeks to understand the mechanism of MOF formation through key clusters and reaction intermediates, and builds on recent understanding of the pre-nucleation state in MOFs (e.g.,
Chemical Science 2021,
12, 4494–4502;
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019,
58, 566–571).
Role Summary
The role will involve synthesis and characterisation of metal-ligand complexes and clusters, specifically those with mixed metals and/or ligands, and investigation of assembly mechanisms, intermediates and reaction products. It will require designing and performing laboratory experiments involving wet chemistry, acid/base titrations and crystallisation, characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and synchrotron light sources, data analysis, collaboration with experts in computational chemistry and X-ray scattering, project management, supporting research within the research group, writing proposals, reports and papers, presentation of results, and public engagement.
Experience in synthetic metal-ligand chemistry, acid/base titrations, self-assembly, crystallisation, mixed-component metal–organic frameworks and in-situ, time-resolved synchrotron X-ray scattering experiments is essential. Experience in analysing kinetic data and performing ESI-MS and NMR experiments is desirable.
Main Duties
- Designing experiments and generating research data relating to metal-ligand chemistry, self-assembly and mixed-component metal–organic frameworks.
- Analysing, interpreting and discussing research data and findings.
- Contributing to developing new models, techniques, methods and understanding.
- Contributing to writing scientific papers, reports, beamtime proposals and funding applications.
- Working in accordance with relevant safety policies and operating procedures.
- Storing, processing and preparing data for publication in line with funders requirements.
- Contributing to the effective operation of the research group, such as operating, training and maintenance of equipment, procurement, and laboratory management.
- Undertaking management/administration necessary to achieve the project goals and milestones.
- Working effectively with collaborators and project partners, and providing guidance to students.
- Presenting scientific findings at conferences and seminars.
- Performing public engagement activities relating to the research project.
- Contributing to the development of intellectual property resulting from the research.
Person Specification
Essential:
- First degree in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics.
- PhD (or be near to completion of), or equivalent, in Chemistry or a related discipline.
- Expertise in synthetic metal-ligand chemistry, acid/base titration, self-assembly, crystallisation, powder X-ray diffraction and mixed-component metal–organic framework chemistry.
- Expertise in in-situ, time-resolved synchrotron X-ray scattering experiments.
- Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver a programme of research work to tight deadlines.
- Ability to analyse and bring together complex datasets.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a research group and wider collaborative team.
Desirable:
- Interest in the design and discovery of new functional materials.
- Expertise in one or more of X-ray total scattering, small-angle scattering, diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and ESI-mass spectrometry.
- Expertise in analysing quantitative kinetic data.
- Experience in chemical characterisation techniques, such as UV-vis, FTIR, Raman, NMR, electron microscopy.
- Ability to learn and apply new characterisation and analysis techniques.
- Ability to develop new models, methods and/or techniques.
- Experience of public engagement.
- Ability to identify potential problems, assess resource requirements, seek assistance when necessary and use resources effectively to achieve the goals of the project.
- Experience in small-scale project planning and management.
- Experience in supporting other team members, including junior researchers.
- 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 Hamish Yeung, email:
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