Research Associate in Experimental Interfacial Science and Engineering

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Scottish university is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to a project on liquid coatings for dermal protection against chemicals. The candidate should hold a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate a strong research background. This fixed-term role offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in an innovative research environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Comprehensive staff benefits

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Good undergraduate degree and a PhD in a relevant area.
• Proven track record of research output in relevant fields.
• Experience in constructing experimental setups.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Liquid-Like Coatings project.
• Deliver research project results and publications.
• Work collaboratively with researchers from different disciplines.

Skills

Research in experimental interfacial science

Surface-initiated polymerisation

Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

Education

PhD in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

Grade UE07: £40,497 to £48,149 per annum

CSE / School of Engineering

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: up to 7 months

The Opportunity:

This Research Associate position will contribute to the "Liquid-Like Coatings for PFAS free Dermal Protection Against Liquid Chemicals" project within the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids at the University of Edinburgh, which is funded by DSTL.

This role is UE07 and is available on a fixed term basis for up to 7 months.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A good undergraduate degree and a PhD in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a clearly related area.
• Proven track record of research in experimental interfacial science and engineering or surface-initiated polymerisation, with a specific focus on droplet interactions with surfaces, wetting or a closely related area.
• Experience in delivering research project results; e.g., a record of peer-reviewed journal and conference papers in a relevant area
• Demonstrable experience of construction of experimental set-ups.
• Capable of working collaboratively with researchers from different disciplines or technical background.

Click here for a copy of the full job description (opens in new tab)

Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

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(opens in a new tab) 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 we 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 (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 8th August 2025.

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

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow's greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About the Team

Engineering has been taught at Edinburgh in one form or another since 1673. In 2002, the present School of Engineering was formed from the previously existing departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Since then, the School has grown from strength to strength, growing rapidly in the last 5 years, now having the largest number of students among the seven Schools in the College of Science and Engineering, offering undergraduate degree programmes across all disciplines and taught Masters courses in niche areas. All of the undergraduate degree programmes are accredited by the relevant professional institutions.

The School of Engineering addresses diverse complex challenges across the entire field of engineering, at the micro- and macro/global scales. At the microscopic scale, its research supports the design and deployment of novel nanotechnology and devices for biological monitoring and medical diagnosis; at the macro/global scale, it optimises the security and sustainability of the built environment and develops engineering solutions to climate change issues. In REF 2021 the joint submission from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University to General Engineering was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for quality and breadth of research. The ranking cited is based upon the breadth and quality of research which apply standard formula (as used by the Times Higher Education) to the REF 2021 results.

The School has a strong track record in producing more than 50 technology spin-outs and developing industry links that enable our graduates to build career-long relationships. Current research income in the School was c.£22.0M in 2020/21.

We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.

The School of Engineering holds a bronze Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education & research.

Further information, including details of undergraduate & postgraduate taught programmes: www.eng.ed.ac.uk