Senior Research Assistant in Chemistry

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The role will be predominately laboratory based and multi-disciplinary, combining synthetic chemistry and reaction optimisation, reaction scale-up, molecule characterisation, surface characterisation and material (polymer) testing, allowing the Researcher the unique opportunity to develop expertise across these diverse fields of science. The appointed Researcher will help in the design and planning of the program of experimental work, will be responsible for execution of laboratory experiment, will be responsible for data collection and analysis and for the collation and reporting of results to the project team. 

Further information is available in the job description. 

The role is fixed term for 12 months.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The appointed Researcher will be based at Northumbria University in Newcastle City Campus, for the 12-month project duration, and have the unique opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team within the Synthesis and Polymer Innovation group at Northumbria University (www.northumbria.ac.uk/spin).

ABOUT YOU

This project is an excellent opportunity for a researcher already holding a PhD in chemistry or related discipline. The appointed person will hold essential skills in synthetic (lab based) chemistry and reaction optimisation, and ideally have some experience of reaction scale-up (up to 0.5-2.0 kg scale). They will be able to design a program of work to optimise reaction conditions (for yield and purity) to deliver a synthetic process suitable for scale-up and manufacture of small molecules. They will conduct small molecule analysis techniques including NMR, IR and mass spec. Further to this, the researcher will be able to design and execute a program of work to test these small molecules in polymer and coating formulations, including characterisation of the resulting materials using tensile testers, dynamic mechanical analysis, drop shape/contact angle analysis, IR and other techniques.  Experience in material testing is therefore also preferred, but not essential.  

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated researcher with an excellent work ethic and drive to succeed. They will have previous experience of delivering a research project(s) (University or Industrial), writing technical reports to a high standard and presenting findings to colleagues and collaborators. They must be able to work and communicate effectively across a multi-disciplinary team and to deliver the project goals to a tight deadline.

Further information is available in the person specification.

For informal questions or enquiries please contact Prof. Matt Unthank (matthew.unthank@northumbria.ac.uk)

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