Research Associate in EPR and Magnetism of Molecular Spin Qubits

Economics Network; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for a 2.5-year Postdoctoral Research Associate to study transition metal molecular spin qubits using pulse EPR spectroscopy and related methods.

The successful candidate will characterise the electronic structure and coherence properties of d‑block metal complexes, supervise junior researchers, and collaborate with the Huh group in Rhode Island, using state‑of‑the‑art EPR facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, physics or related field.
• Experience in advanced spectroscopic and/or magnetic measurements.
• Experience with EPR spectroscopy and handling air‑sensitive samples using glove boxes.
• Ability to manage PhD and undergraduate students in a research group.

Responsibilities

• Characterise electronic structure and coherence properties of d-block metal complexes using pulse EPR and magnetometry.
• Supervise junior researchers in the group.
• Coordinate with the Huh group (Rhode Island University) and present findings at international conferences.

Skills

EPR spectroscopy

Magnetometry

Group supervision

Education

PhD in chemistry or physics

Tools

Glove boxes

Job description

Job reference: SAE-032615
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemistry
Hours Per Week: 1 FTE
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 18/11/2026
Contract Duration: 30 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

A 2.5-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available for an outstanding and ambitious scientist to study transition metal molecular spin qubits using pulse EPR spectroscopy and related methods. This position, funded by an UKRI grant managed by Dr Floriana Tuna (https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/floriana.tuna/), involves close collaboration with the University of Rhode Island (Huh group) and Brown University (Robinson group) under an UK-US research partnership to explore quantum information science concepts in metal organic systems.

As part of the project, the successful applicant will interact closely with experts at the UK National EPR Facility at Manchester (Prof David Collison, Prof Eric McInnes) and access state-of-the-art instrumentation for cw and pulse EPR (1-34 GHz), rapid scan, light‑induced EPR, and SQUID magnetometry (https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/epr/).

Recent publications relevant to the project: J. Am .Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 15000; Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 3330; Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 3003, Chem.Eur.J. 2026, e71619, Inorg. Chem. 2026, 65, 6544.

Purpose of the Job

The role holder is expected to characterise the electronic structure and coherence properties of a series of d‑block metal complexes to a standard suitable for publication, using pulse EPR and magnetometry, and to supervise junior researchers in the research group. Candidates should have or expect to obtain a PhD qualification in chemistry, physics, or a closely related field. They should have experience in performing advanced spectroscopic and/or magnetic measurements. Experience of EPR spectroscopy and handling and measuring highly air‑sensitive samples, using glove boxes, d/f block chemistry, and being adept at a variety of characterisation techniques and calculations, are all highly desirable. The successful candidate will be a highly capable, motivated and independent researcher who is able to manage a group of PhD and undergraduate students working on a variety of spectroscopy and magnetism projects. You will be part of a larger research team working across synthesis, measurements and calculations to characterise qubits and establish the electronic structures of paramagnetic complexes. You will be expected to take a leading role in the research group, including coordination with the Huh group at Rhode Island University involved in chemical syntheses, organising group meetings, and presenting findings at international conferences.

The start date is 1 February 2027, or soon after, and the position is available for up to 2.5 years.

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Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Dr Floriana Tuna

Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical support

Tel: [phone]

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

£37,694 to £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience