Postdoctoral Research Associate in Inorganic Chemistry

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in molecular lanthanide chemistry, to work under Professor Michael Neidig for up to three years.

The project focuses on designing, synthesizing and characterising lanthanide coordination complexes to develop generalized design rules across the lanthanide series for controlling optical linewidths and oscillator strengths.

Qualifications

• PhD in inorganic chemistry or related field, or near completion, before starting the appointment.
• Experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry.
• Experience in characterisation of paramagnetic inorganic complexes.
• Ability to manage own research and administrative duties.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize lanthanide coordination complexes.
• Characterise complexes to develop design rules across the lanthanide series.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

Skills

Synthetic inorganic chemistry

Paramagnetic complex characterization

Project management

Education

PhD in Inorganic Chemistry

Job description

UK date and time: 16-September-2026 15:35

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Inorganic Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR

About the role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in molecular lanthanide chemistry to work under the supervision of Professor Michael Neidig for a period of up to 3 years. The project involves the synthesis and characterisation of molecular lanthanide complexes to develop physical inorganic principles for controlling optical linewidths and oscillator strengths in these systems. The work is part of a collaborative project with UCLA and is funded by EPSRC.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will design and synthesis of new lanthanide coordination complexes and their characterisation towards the goal of generalised design rules across the lanthanide series for controlling optical linewidths and oscillator strengths.

The work will consist of ligand design and synthesis, lanthanide complexation and isolation, structural and spectroscopic characterisation of lanthanide complexes.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry or a relevant subject area, (or be close to completion), prior to taking up the appointment. The research requires experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry, including characterisation of paramagnetic inorganic complexes.

You will be expected to manage your own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

The post will be based in the Department of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR.

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your application. In your supporting statement (<5 pages), please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description.

Certificates, references and research papers should not be provided at this stage.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday, Friday 25 September 2026, UK time. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

The University of Oxford and The Department of Chemistry are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in Chemistry research posts in Oxford.

Salary (£) : £39,424 - £47,779 per annum (inclusive of Oxford University Weighting)