Job Description
Position Details
School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,924
Full Time
Fixed Term contract up to September 2026
Closing date: 14th January 2025
UK and International travel may be required for this role
2 Positions available
Background
We are seeking applications for a research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta's group, 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.
Summary of Role
1. 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 current gold standard methods such as ELISA.
2. To support research within Gupta group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
3. 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, proofread papers and reports.
4. To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
1. Collect, analyse, and interpret research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
2. Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
3. Contribute to developing ideas, directions, research objectives, models, techniques, and methods.
4. Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
5. Supervise/guide students on research related work.
6. Undertake management/administration arising from research.
7. Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
Person Specification
1. Completed a PhD in Chemistry, or equivalent qualifications.
2. Significant experience in organic synthesis of monomers and crosslinkers with photoremovable protecting groups and dyes/fluorophores/probes.
3. 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.
4. Experience in using electrospinning.
5. Experience in using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometers, and microplate readers.
6. Experience in handling biological samples and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
7. Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
8. Ability to keep up to date with new developments in relevant research fields.
9. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.
10. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
11. Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
12. Ability to write and give presentations and communicate complex information clearly.
13. Ability to install and maintain a broad range of equipment within the group and to train other personnel on their operation.
14. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Informal enquiries to Dr Ruchi Gupta. Email: r.gupta.3@bham.ac.uk
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