Postdoctoral Research Associate in Nanoparticle Chemistry

Working at Durham University

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Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

The Role and Department

The role is for a chemist to work on an exciting new project funded by The Leverhulme Trust on Advanced Coated Thermochemical Adsorption Materials in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University, under the direction of Dr Simon Beaumont.

A World Top 100 department, the Department of Chemistry at Durham is one of the very best in the UK, with an outstanding reputation for excellence in research, teaching and employability of our students. We are an active and vibrant department, with a strong cohort of early career academics and future leaders. We hold an Athena Swan Silver Award, recognising our commitment to gender equality. Our undergraduate programmes are ranked fifth in the Complete University Guide 2023. At postgraduate level, our students come from all over the world to carry out research.

Our research strategy is focussed around three interdisciplinary grand challenge themes: Chemistry for Health; Chemistry for Sustainability; and Chemistry for Change.

There is a strong culture of collaboration within the department and with other departments and institutes within the University, including the Biophysical Sciences Institute, the Durham Energy Institute and the Institute for Data Science.

For more information, please visit our Department pages at http://www.durham.ac.uk/chemistry

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in nanoparticle chemistry, encompassing synthesis, characterization and working with our colleagues in engineering to perform application testing, is available from 1st June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter, for a period of 24 months, to work in association with Dr Simon Beaumont. The goal of the project is to provide porous coatings for thermochemical sorption materials, an important net-zero enabling technology The project will specifically focus on breathable nanoscale coating methods for key sorption materials to overcome challenges in their re-use, reliability and energy density. It is a close collaboration with Dr Zhiwei Ma's group in the Durham University Department of Engineering, who is the overall project's principal investigator and will be modelling and testing materials we produce.

The successful applicant will be expected to lead the wet chemistry nanoparticle and nanoscale coating work (synthesis and characterization) in the Department of Chemistry, and collaborate effectively with engineers on the testing and applicability of these materials.

Key responsibilities:

• • To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
  • To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
  • To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
  • To conduct research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
  • To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
  • To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
  • To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
  • To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
  • To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
  • To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
  • To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
  • To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
  • To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
  • Promote and maintain a safe working environment by adopting best safety practices, participating in relevant training, acquiring specialist knowledge when necessary, and ensuring full compliance with rules and regulations.

This post is fixed term for 24 months [the funding is available from 01/06/2025 for this fixed period only].

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01 ^st June 2025.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic 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.

- The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.

- We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

- On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community

- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various ...