Postdoctoral Research Associate in Crystallisation

The Role and Department

The Chemistry Department at Durham University is one of the very best Chemistry Departments in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and employability of our students. Ranked 21 in REF2021 in terms of grade point average, the Chemistry Department is a thriving environment for research as well as for career development.

The Role

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in crystallisation and characterisation of molecular? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

We are looking for an outstanding Research Fellow to join a research project based in the groups of Prof. Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza and Prof. John Evans. The project is part of a new £7m EPSRC funded Programme Grant that brings together a team of researchers from the universities of Durham, Leeds and Manchester investigating the formation of Molecular Solid Solutions (MoSS).

Solid solutions are created when atoms or ions of a dopant are incorporated within the crystal structure of a host. Even at minute quantities, this can significantly alter the properties of crystals. Although solid solutions in metals and inorganic materials are well-studied, little is known about systems where the host and dopants are small organic molecules (MoSS). There is huge potential of utilising MoSS for changing and modulating materials properties, such as solubilities, crystal polymorph, crystal sizes and shapes and rates of dissolution.

The overall goal of the consortium is to develop and apply cutting-edge techniques in crystal synthesis, characterisation and modelling to study and generate a new understanding of MoSS. These advances will have applications across multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and food industries.

There are multiple opportunities to collaborate, take part in network events and undertake research placements within this project.

You will have a PhD in Physical Sciences or a closely related field, and you will have a background in crystallisation and solid state characterisation. Knowledge of databases, and python coding is a must. The key responsibilities are to explore the crystallisation and characterisation of MoSS,. The successful candidate will be involved in the supervision of a PhD student during the duration of the position and will have significant of opportunities for career development.

This post is fixed term for 36 months– the funding is available from 01/10/2025.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st December 2026.

Closing Date: 21 April 2026, 11:59:00 PM

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