Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SCHEMA)

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

Job summary

The University of Bath invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry to work with Professor Matthew Davidson, collaborating with academic and industrial partners on a 24-month project supported by the EPSRC through the SCHEMA Hub.

The project focuses on sustainable catalysis for preparing new plastics via ring-opening polymerization, ring-expansion polymerization and polycondensation of renewable monomers, with catalysts designed to deliver

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry with experience in polymerization catalysis.
• Experience using anaerobic techniques, including Schlenk lines and glove boxes.
• Experience with catalyst and polymer characterization techniques (spectroscopy, GPC, DSC, TGA, tensile testing).

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on sustainable catalysis for polymer synthesis.
• Collaborate with UK universities and industry partners within the SCHEMA Hub.
• Disseminate findings via seminars, conferences and publications.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Polymerization catalysis

Anaerobic techniques

Schlenk line technique

Glove boxes

Spectroscopy

GPC

DSC

TGA

Tensile testing

Education

PhD in Polymer Chemistry

Tools

Schlenk lines

Glove boxes

Job description

About the role

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.

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

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.

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 very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

£38,784 to £46,049. Grade 7