Postdoctoral Research Associate in Degradable Electronic Polymers

Location: Department of Chemistry - Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA 

Interested in all things polymer? Chromic, Electronic, Degradable? 

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help develop polymers that are electronically functional, degradable, and that shift colour as they break down, so a device can report its own remaining lifetime before it stops working. 

This post sits at the point where conjugated polymers meet classic cleavable polyester and carbonate chemistry. It is associated with the recently funded EPSRC New Investigator Award "Colour-Changing Electroactive Polymers: Degradation-Responsive Materials for Self-Reporting Electronics". Based in the Department of Chemistry under the supervision of Dr Georgina Gregory, this post is fixed-term for up to 2.5 years. 

This is a new programme and you would be leading its experimental work in a small, well-equipped group, with room to shape the chemistry and the freedom to follow what the results suggest. 

Find out more about the Gregory Group at: https://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/people/georgina-gregory 

About you 

Applicants must hold a PhD in polymer chemistry, materials chemistry or a closely related field, (or be close to submission), prior to taking up the appointment, with a publication record appropriate to your career stage. 

Experience of conjugated polymer synthesis or ring-opening polymerisation, conductivity measurements, spectroelectrochemistry, or thin film processing and device fabrication would all be an advantage. 

The project spans synthesis, degradation and electronic and optical characterisation, and nobody arrives with all of it. You will enjoy learning, and take satisfaction in taking a polymer from synthetic design through to working material. 

You will be able to work independently, and to work supportively and enthusiastically with others, communicating what you find in writing and in person. There will be the opportunity to supervise an undergraduate project student, and to take an interest and a share of responsibility in the equipment the group depends on. 

The post is full-time, applications from those wishing to work part-time will be considered, and will be based in the Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA. 

Applicants must hold a PhD in polymer chemistry, materials chemistry or a closely related field (or close to completion), prior to taking up the appointment. 

Essential experience includes:

• Polymer synthesis
• Standard polymer characterisation techniques
• Conductivity measurements of polymers 

You will be expected to manage your own research activities under guidance, contribute to experimental work, analyse and present scientific data, and work collaboratively with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups, both within the department and externally. 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday on 16 September 2026, UK time. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter. Please upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application (via the 'Apply' button above). 

Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post, using clear examples drawn from skills and experience. Please note that certificates, references and research papers should not be provided at this stage.

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