Organisation/Company: Durham University
Research Field: Chemistry
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Leading Researcher (R4), First Stage Researcher (R1), Established Researcher (R3)
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 25 Jan 2025 - 22:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Offer Starting Date: 1 May 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
The Role
You will be working as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) in the young and enthusiastic Franchino group, within the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. The post is available for 3 years, including 1-year probation, with an ideal start date in May 2025 or soon after. The salary is grade 7, spine point 32 (£40,247 per year before taxes).
As a PDRA in the Franchino group, you will be pursuing ground-breaking research merging metal and organocatalysis, to develop new strategies for the stereoselective synthesis of organic molecules. Your project is funded by a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF, 1.7m € in total) recently awarded to the PI, entitled “ChloroCat: Unlocking metal-chloride bonds for data-driven stereoselective catalysis.” In this project, you will design, prepare and test (chiral) organocatalysts capable of engaging with common metal halide (pre)catalysts via non-covalent interactions, using an anion-binding approach. These binary catalytic systems will then be screened combinatorially in several reactions, including with a high-throughput experimentation setup, to achieve increased rate, unusual regio- and stereoselectivity and/or unprecedented levels of enantiocontrol. The mode of action of the binary catalytic systems will be investigated experimentally and explored computationally. Improved second-generation catalysts will be designed following mechanistic insights, with the help of structure-activity relationships and computational predictions.
You will spend 1 month in the laboratory of our collaborator Dr. Jolene Reid at the University of British Columbia (Canada), to gain advanced skills in DFT calculation and machine learning techniques applied to catalyst design. All expenses for your stay at UBC will be covered by the FLF.
The project involves the following skills. It is expected that you are, at present, an expert on at least one of them, and looking forward to mastering all the others during your stay in the group:
* Synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry (synthesis, purification and characterisation of substrates, products, ligands and catalysts using several techniques);
* Enantioselective catalysis (with both transition metals and organocatalysts, and using HTE);
* Supramolecular chemistry (study of non-covalent interactions in solution and in the solid state);
* Mechanistic elucidation using experimental and computational tools (e.g., kinetic studies, DFT calculations for homogeneous catalytic reactions and machine learning workflows).
Your key responsibilities are outlined in detail in the section below:
* To conduct research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI), working productively both on your own and in collaboration with others, as appropriate.
* To plan and manage your research activity effectively and with minimal input from the PI, share research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the ideation and planning of research projects.
* To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the PI and offering creative or innovative solutions.
* To work with the PI and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and ideas, and extend the research portfolio.
* To assist with the development of research projects and proposals.
* To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature through written presentations and oral discussions.
* To prepare and deliver presentations on research activities to both academic and non-academic audiences.
* To prepare high-quality outputs, including monthly reports for the PI, papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals and abstracts for presentation at conferences under the direction of the PI.
* To participate regularly in research group meetings and engage consistently in problem sessions, striving to improve your knowledge as well as transmitting it to other group members.
* To liaise with departmental and university support units as appropriate for the progression of the research projects, follow all rules and guidelines in place in the group, Department and University, and make all required internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
* To be involved in student supervision in the context of the research group.
* To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
* To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
* To contribute to fostering a collegial, supportive and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect, in the group, in the Department and in the University.
This post is fixed term for 3 years, as the funding has been awarded to the PI to cover for a 36-month PDRA position, as part of her UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.
Minimum Requirements:
* A good first degree in Chemistry or a closely related subject.
* A PhD (or defense before) in Chemistry or a closely related subject.
* Experience in conducting high-quality academic research in organic chemistry.
* Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly ranked journals, as evidenced by at least 2 co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals.
* Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national and/or international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community, as evidenced by at least 2 poster or oral communications at scientific conferences.
* Experience in homogeneous catalysis and/or organometallic chemistry and/or complex organic synthesis and/or supramolecular chemistry, as evidenced by at least 2 publications on these topics.
* Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
* Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Benefits:
* 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
* A generous pension scheme.
* Parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme, and discounts with local bus and train companies.
* Comprehensive range of development courses and access to qualifications.
* Support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for gym facilities.
* On-site nursery and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
* Family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave.
* Opportunities for staff volunteering activities.
* Discounts available via our benefits portal.
* Help with removal costs and practicalities if moving to Durham.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
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