Research Associate in Surface-Initiated Polymerisation

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK university in Sheffield seeks a Polymer Chemist to design synthetic materials for photonic applications. The role involves research collaboration, experiment design, and contributing to cross-disciplinary projects. Applicants should have a PhD in chemistry or materials science and expertise in polymerisation techniques. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

41 days annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Generous pension scheme

Staff networks for personal development

Qualifications

• Experience of surface-initiated polymerisation is essential.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, plan and progress work activities is essential.
• A strong interest in cross-disciplinary research is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop experiments to obtain reliable data.
• Carry out research and interact effectively with the project team.
• Supervise research team activities if required.

Skills

Surface-initiated polymerisation

Effective communication skills

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Education

PhD in chemistry or materials science

Job description

Overview

We have an opening for a polymer chemist within a team of 13 researchers spread across the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol working on a £7.3 M collaborative project funded by EPSRC and led by Prof Graham Leggett. The aim of our five-year programme is to develop a new modular approach to the creation of photonic materials, inspired by structures found in biological photosynthetic membranes. Your role, based in Sheffield and working with Prof Steve Armes FRS and Prof Graham Leggett, will be to design synthetic pigment-polymer antenna complexes for incorporation into molecular photonic breadboards, and to work collaboratively with other team members to explore their photophysical properties. Synthetic polymer scaffolds will be grown using surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerisation (SI-ATRP) and used to organise chromophores in 3D. You will develop solution-processing routes for the production of quantum optical materials, and design sensors for use in early detection of cancer that utilise strong light-matter coupling.

Educated to PhD level in chemistry, physics or materials science (or equivalent experience), you will have experience of surface-initiated polymerisation, preferably SI-ATRP, including familiarity with methods for the characterisation of polymer brushes. A passion for working as a member of a team is essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in order to obtain reliable data.
• Carry out research.
• Interact effectively with other members of the project team, sharing data and expertise and working together to reach project objectives.
• Supervise research team/activities if required.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Prepare papers for journals/presentations either in-house or at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write progress reports and present work at project meetings.
• If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for own contribution up to 3 months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments weekly.
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning is required to accommodate new developments.
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn\'t match perfectly with this role\'s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

A PhD or equivalent experience in chemistry or materials science — Essential

Experience of surface-initiated polymerisation — Essential

Experience of atom-transfer radical polymerisation — Desirable

Experience of the preparation and characterisation of thin polymer films — Desirable

A good publication record — Desirable

Willingness to work across traditional subject boundaries — Essential

Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities — Essential

Effective communication skills (including writing papers and making oral presentations at scientific meetings) — Essential

Ability to communicate ideas effectively to researchers from other disciplines — Essential

A strong interest in cross-disciplinary research at the physical science/life science interface — Essential

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team — Essential

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving, including the ability to analyse and solve problems — Essential

Further Information

Grade
7

Salary
£38,249 to £46,735

Work arrangement
Full-time

Duration
Available immediately until 2/11/26

Line manager
Research Grant Lead

Direct reports
n/a

Our website
www.breadboards.org, https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/nanoscalechemistrygroup/home

For informal enquiries about this job contact Prof Graham Leggett via [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in October 2025. This will consist of an interview and a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within a week of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Prof Leggett.

What we offer

• A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women\'s and Parent\'s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.