Research Assistant / Associate in Synthetic Chemistry

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday package

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Newcastle University in Newcastle, UK, is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate in synthetic organic chemistry for a project funded by EPSRC. The role sits in the Armstrong group, within state‑of‑the‑art labs in the Bedson building.

The successful candidate will hold or soon expect a PhD in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry and must demonstrate independence, collaboration, and strong time management. Closing date: 3 December 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in modern synthetic organic and/or organometallic chemistry techniques in a leading research environment.
• Expertise in characterization including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments (COSHH) and working safely in a chemical laboratory.
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy.
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues.
• Excellent IT skills in major office applications.
• Ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

Responsibilities

• Reaction optimization to develop efficient synthetic methodology.
• Regular contact with the Principal Investigator to manage workload and support operations.
• Work effectively as part of a team with internal and external partners.
• Provide guidance to students on experimental methods and equipment.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records of procedures and outcomes.
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions.
• Coordinate own work with others and contribute to project planning.
• Present information on progress to the PI or project groups.
• Write up results and contribute to dissemination (reports, papers).
• Utilize laboratories, workshops and equipment as appropriate.

Skills

Synthetic chemistry

NMR spectroscopy

Mass spectrometry

Education

Honours degree in chemistry

PhD in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry

Job description

Research Assistant / Associate in Synthetic Chemistry

Requisition ID: 29942

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Full Time

Research Assistant: £34,630 to £36,320 per annum

Research Associate: £37,369 to £46,970 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 3 December 2026

The Role

We are seeking to recruit a Research Assistant/Associate in the area of synthetic organic chemistry as part of a project funded by EPSRC on the synthesis and application of organosodium reagents. The successful candidate will work as part of a team of chemists in the Armstrong group, situated in state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories in the Bedson building at Newcastle University.

The successful candidate will hold, or shortly expect to achieve a PhD in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry. Detailed knowledge and experience in synthetic chemistry and characterization of small molecules is essential. You should be capable of working independently, possess excellent time management skills, and be able to collaborate effectively as part of a team, working both with internal colleagues and external partners.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf . These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

For more information about research within the School of Natural and Environmental Science at Newcastle University, please see here .

For more information on Newcastle University’s Chemistry discipline, please see here .

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Reaction optimization to develop efficient synthetic methodology.
• Regular contact with the Principal Investigator to manage workload and provide support for the effective operation and maintenance of research activities, facilities, and equipment.
• Working effectively as part of a team, both with internal colleagues and external partners.
• Providing guidance to students on specific experimental methods and equipment and providing specialized training where required.
• Maintaining detailed, accurate and clear laboratory records of all experimental procedures and outcomes.
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.

Research Associate

• Reaction optimization to develop efficient synthetic methodology.
• Regular contact with the Principal Investigator to manage workload and provide support for the effective operation and maintenance of research activities, facilities, and equipment.
• Working effectively as part of a team, both with internal colleagues and external partners.
• Providing guidance to students on specific experimental methods and equipment and providing specialized training where required.
• Maintaining detailed, accurate and clear laboratory records of all experimental procedures and outcomes.
• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

• Experience in modern synthetic organic and/or organometallic chemistry techniques in a leading research environment.
• Expertise in characterization including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments (e.g. COSHH) and working safely in a chemical laboratory.
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

In addition for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in chemistry or a closely related area

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.