Research Fellow in Polymer Chemistry

Salary: As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,024
Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to 24 months

Background

We are seeking applications for a 24-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta’s group, and specifically to develop photodegradable materials and analytical methods for capture and measurement of biomarkers in biological fluids such as saliva. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Drs Melissa Grant and Malgorzata Wiench (both: School of Dentistry). Successful delivery will have revolutionary impact on early detection of diseases such as cancer.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community with over 80 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. With a strong focus on its three main research themes, energy, sustainability and health, and a number of interdisciplinary interest groups, the School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; combined with investment from the University for the new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened September 2018) and Molecular Sciences Research Building (opening in 2023/24), we are entering an exciting period. 

Role Summary

• To undertake research on synthesis and characterisation of photodegradable materials for capture and selective release of biomarkers in biological fluids, development of analytical methods for measurement of biomarkers, and benchmarking against ELISA.
• To support research within Gupta group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports.
• To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Chemistry, or equivalent qualifications.
• Significant experience in organic synthesis of monomers and crosslinkers with photoremovable protecting groups and dyes/fluorophores/probes.
• Significant experience in purification and characterisation (e.g., HPLC, NMR, IR, MS) methods, and formation of materials including polymers and hydrogels without and with dyes/fluorophores/probes.
• Experience in using electrospinning.
• Experience in using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometers, and microplate readers.
• Experience in handling biological samples and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in relevant research fields.
• 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 and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to install and maintain a broad range of equipment within the group and to train other personnel on their operation.

Informal enquires can be made to Ruchi Gupta, email: r.gupta.3@bham.ac.uk.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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