Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SCHEMA)

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Generous employer contributory pension

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Staff discount at Team Bath gym

Postgraduate tuition discounts and L&D

Job summary

The University of Bath invites applications for a Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry to work with Professor Matthew Davidson on SCHEMA hub collaborations.

The project focuses on catalysts for ring-opening polymerization, ring-expansion polymerization and polycondensation of renewable monomers to deliver materials with tailored properties for everyday and high-value applications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry with polymerization catalysis experience.
• Experience with anaerobic techniques and catalyst/polymer characterization.
• Proficiency in spectroscopy, GPC, DSC and TGA; capable of mechanical testing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on sustainable catalysis for polymer synthesis.
• Develop catalysts for ring-opening polymerization, ring-expansion polymerization and polycondensation of renewable monomers.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners and publish findings.
• Participate in SCHEMA Hub activities and training events.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Catalysis

Anaerobic techniques

Spectroscopy

GPC

DSC

TGA

Mechanical testing

Education

PhD in Polymer Chemistry

Tools

Schlenk line

Glove box

Job description

Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SCHEMA)

Job title Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SCHEMA)

Salary Starting from £38,784, rising to £46,049

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry to work with Professor Matthew Davidson, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, for a period of up to 2 years. The post is supported by the EPSRC through the Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub (SCHEMA, www.schemahub.ac.uk ) which aims to deliver a step change in sustainable chemical and polymer manufacturing in the UK.

The project focusses on sustainable catalysis for the preparation of new plastics based on ring-opening polymerization, ring-expansion polymerization and polycondensation of renewable monomers. Highly selective and robust catalysts will be designed and investigated to deliver controlled polymer architectures resulting in materials with desired properties for commodity and high value applications.

You will join a dynamic team of other experts working in polymerization catalysis and polymer chemistry at Bath and, as a member of the SCHEMA Hub, you will benefit from collaborations across UK universities and with companies. This will include regular research symposia, training events and mentoring organised by the SCHEMA Hub.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year

About you

Applicants should have a PhD in Polymer Chemistry with experience of polymerization catalysis prior to taking up the post. They should have expertise in using anaerobic techniques, including Schlenk lines and glove boxes, to make catalysts and polymers. Experience of catalyst and polymer characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, GPC, DSC, TGA and tensile mechanical measurements is required.

Further information

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Matthew Davidson at [e-mail].

This is a full time (36.5 hours per week) role with an expected length of 24 months.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive

Right to Work in the UK:We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.