Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £22,096
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Deuteration is an isotopic contrast technique, critical to neutron scattering. It enables complex hydrogen containing chemical and biochemical structures to be investigated and structural and chemical properties to be determined that would otherwise remain hidden. Although some deuterium-containing molecules are commercially available in gram quantities (for instance those commonly used as NMR solvents), most systems of interest to the user community are prohibitively expensive or are not commercially available at all. The Deuteration Facility provides custom synthesis of target isotopic materials for the ISIS and ILL user communities in order to enable their experimental programmes.
About Summer Placements at STFC:
STFC’s incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team.
Summary of Key Duties & Responsibilities:
We are seeking a motivated summer student for a 12-week project focused on optimising the existing catalytic process, building a stock of deuterated materials for further synthesis, and exploring modifications to the catalyst to enhance efficiency and deuteration performance. The successful candidate will work closely with a team of scientists specialising in chemical deuteration, utilising high-pressure and high-temperature Parr reactors. This role involves working with catalysts and pressurised gases under varying conditions. The candidate should also be experienced in purification techniques and proficient in sample characterisation using instruments such as GC-MS, NMR, and mass spectrometry.
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Essential:
* You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies once the summer placement has concluded.
* You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement.
* Undertaking a degree in a Chemistry, or related degree and 2:1 or higher.
* Synthetic Chemistry practical experience.
* Experience with standard purification techniques such as distillation, chromatography.
* Experience with analysing reaction outcome, eg NMR, LCMS, GCMS.
* Familiar with COSHH and risk assessments.
Desirable:
* Knowledge of good laboratory practise gained from previous laboratory experience.
* Experience with chemical databases, eg Scifinder, Reaxys, Web of Science.
How to apply:
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
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