Scientific Officer

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

USS Pension Scheme with 14.5% employer

Hybrid work environment

Staff discount scheme

Free staff parking

Carshare

Cycle to Work

Subsidised transport

Tuition benefits

LinkedIn Learning access

Training & development

34 days annual leave + 5 public hol.

Job summary

The University of St Andrews, School of Chemistry, is seeking an experienced Scientific Officer to join its single-crystal diffraction facility. You will work with researchers across the School, providing specialist crystallography expertise and helping maximise the facility's capabilities.

You will also support the School's powder X-ray diffraction facilities and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment with a focus on high-quality structural solutions.

Qualifications

• Experienced crystallographer with expertise in small molecule crystallography.
• Provides specialist expertise to researchers and helps maximise facility capabilities.
• Familiar with diffraction instrumentation and data analysis practices.

Responsibilities

• Operate advanced diffraction instrumentation for challenging structural problems.
• Deliver high-quality structural solutions across diverse research projects.
• Collaborate with researchers across the School of Chemistry and support powder diffraction facilities.

Skills

Small molecule crystallography

X-ray crystallography

Collaborative research

Job description

The School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews is seeking an experienced Scientific Officer with expertise in small molecule crystallography to join its single-crystal diffraction facility. Working closely with Dr David Cordes (X-ray Crystallographer) the postholder will use advanced diffraction instrumentation to tackle challenging structural problems and help deliver high-quality structural solutions across a diverse range of research projects. You will work directly with researchers across the School, providing specialist expertise and helping them make the most of the facility’s capabilities.

In addition, the postholder will become familiar with the School’s powder X-ray diffraction facilities, providing essential support for their effective operation.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced crystallographer who enjoys scientific problem-solving, advanced instrumentation and collaborative research, and who would like to play a key role in supporting an important resource for the School’s research activities. We are looking for a collaborative scientist who will contribute to the School’s research environment and share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr. David Cordes at [e-mail], or Professor Sharon Ashbrook, Head of the School of Chemistry, at [e-mail].

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work—it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Scientific Officer role includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays

At St Andrews, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar of our University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity charters and awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race Equality Charter.

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minority religions backgrounds and from LGBTQ+ and disabled people who are currently underrepresented in Scientific Officer roles at the University.

The successful candidate will have to demonstrate their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment and where required, the University can support with visa sponsorship.

Interview date: W/C 30th November 2026

Job description: AR2704CM FPs.pdf

Start date: As soon as possible

£38,784 to £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)