Research Fellow in Responsive Polymers

The postholder will be responsible for a wide range of activities but primarily will be focused on undertaking original research and will involve a broad range of skills including synthesis, experimental development, application, data interpretation and scientific writing. Training will be provided in all of the component techniques but demonstrable experience in a number of the aspects is required. It is also expected that the postholder will have experience in multidisciplinary research and have excellent communication skills.

• To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range ofactivities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.
• To undertake research into the synthesis of responsive monomers and their polymerisation and characterisation under the supervision of Prof. Rachel O'Reilly.
• Work within a recently funded EPSRC grant in the area of responsive polymers for utility in paper based point of care devices.
• To support research within the group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects as requested; attend regular project meetings; give regular presentations to the group; attend national and international conferences giving poster and oral presentations; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports and draft grant proposals.
• To play an active role in the O'Reilly research group, participating in all group meetings and activities.You will supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
• Participate in the collaborative meetings and work with the project collaborators

Person Specification

• Candidates should have completed an experimental PhD in chemistry or materials science and have significant polymer synthesis experience, preferably in radical polymerization and/or light-mediated polymerization.
• First degree in area of specialism and a higher degree (PhD) relevant to research area (or equivalent qualifications).Candidates should have completed an experimental PhD in chemistry or materials science and have significant polymer synthesis experience, preferably in radical polymerization and/or light-mediated polymerization.
• Excellent research profile in the area of in the area polymer synthesis, particularly photo-initiated polymerisation
• Proven experience in responsive polymer synthesis (specifically light responsive polymers) and their characterisation (MS, NMR and SEC).
• Some experience in cell biology or the willingness to expand research expertise to include cell biology.
• Some experience in surface chemistry including characterisation of surface properties is desirable
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in the fields relevant to own research projects
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to write and give presentations to both national and international audience standard and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to install and maintain relevant equipment and to train other personnel on operation of the broad range of equipment maintained within the group
• High level analytical capability and experience in use of characterisation of polymers and materials by a range of techniques including NMR, IR, chromatography, MS, DSC, TGA, etc.
• Very strong record of publishing in leading international journals and/or at conferences
• Good writing and proof reading skills