Postdoctoral Research Associate in Kinetics and Mechanism

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Chemistry. This role involves significant laboratory research into organoboron species, teamwork with experts from various universities, and contributions to publications. Ideal candidates will have expertise in spectroscopic techniques, mathematical modelling, and a collaborative mindset. Salary £41,064 - £48,822 per annum, pro-rata if part-time, with a closing date for applications on December 1st, 2025.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Comprehensive benefits package

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Demonstrable expertise in spectroscopic techniques for reaction monitoring.
• Experience with UV‑Vis and NMR titration analysis.
• Capable of conducting mathematical modelling for complex chemical processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory and computer‑based research into organoboron species.
• Interact with computational and synthetic collaborators.
• Contribute to research dissemination and publication.

Skills

Solution‑phase reaction monitoring

Conduction and analysis of UV‑Vis titration isotherms

High field NMR analysis

Mathematical modelling of complex chemical processes

Hands‑on experience in analyzing kinetics of organoboronic compounds

Job description

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum, pro-rata if part time

College of Science and Engineering / School of Chemistry

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: 20 months

The School of Chemistry are looking for a PDRA starting from September 1st 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) for 20 months.

The Opportunity

The PDRA will be supervised by Prof. Guy Lloyd-Jones (GCLJ) and is based in the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh (UoE). The successful applicant will join a well‑established team focused on experimental mechanistic analysis at the UoE, and work in close collaboration with two other teams, one focused on developing boron‑based medicinal chemistry at the University of St Andrews (UoStA) and the other focused on computational mechanistic analysis at the University of Manchester (UoM).

This position is part of a much larger endeavour that overall involves 10 PDRA, 9 PhD students, 9 academic groups, and 5 industrial groups. It is funded by an EPSRC Programme Grant titled "Boron: Beyond the Reagent", awarded to Professors Guy Lloyd‑Jones FRS (PI), Michael Ingleson, Stephen Thomas, and Neil McKeown at UoE; to Professors Allan Watson (ABJW, co‑PI), Andrew Smith, Eli Zysman‑Colman, and Russell Morris FRS at UoStA; and Dr Andrew Leach (AGL) at UoM.

The successful applicant will perform a laboratory and computer‑based programme of research into the speciation and stability of organoboron species in biologically relevant media. They will interact extensively with both computational and synthetic collaborators to enable the productive development of the EPSRC "Boron: Beyond the Reagent" Programme Grant. They will also contribute intellectually to the life of the GCLJ research group, effectively manage laboratory resources and equipment, supervise less experienced researchers and contribute to the dissemination and publication of the research, both within and outwith the project.

Your skills and attributes for success

This project requires a candidate with demonstrable expertise in all of the following

• Solution‑phase reaction monitoring (in situ and ex situ) by multiple spectroscopic techniques and application of stopped‑flow methods.
• Conduction and analysis of UV‑Vis and NMR titration isotherms.
• High field NMR analysis and the editing and application of pulse sequences.
• Mathematical modelling of experimental and predicted temporal concentrations for complex chemical processes, using both numerical methods and via derivation of steady‑state rate equations.
• Hands‑on experience in the analysis of the kinetics of interconversion of organoboronic acids, organoboronic esters, and boroxines.

Application Information

• CV
• List of publications

As a valued member of our team you can expect

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family‑friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 1st December 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone.

Interviews will be held Week Commencing 15th December 2025.