Start Date: 1 April 2022, with some flexibility
Full-time, Fixed-term for 15 months, with a possibility of renewal.
Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to work on a major Royal Society funded project under the supervision of Dr. Sebastian Pike. The research will involve synthesis and characterisation of inorganic metal-oxo cluster molecules and cluster-based materials. These systems will be studied to understand their electronic structure and photoredox reactivity. The clusters, and materials built from them, will then be tested as photocatalysts for solar fuel production and/or sustainable organic transformations.
In this project you will use a variety of synthetic techniques including the use of Schlenk line and glovebox techniques for air sensitive processes, and a range of characterisation techniques including single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.
The candidate will have completed (or be soon to complete) a PhD in inorganic chemistry and will be skilled in the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic molecules, including the use of air-sensitive techniques. You will have expertise in spectroscopic and diffraction-based characterisation techniques. Prior experience of advanced or specialised molecular characterisation techniques is highly desirable, which could include the study of paramagnetic inorganic molecules by magnetic studies, electrochemical characterisation, or EPR spectroscopy. Prior experience of studying molecular clusters and/or photoactive metal oxide (nano)materials is also desirable.
You will be an excellent communicator capable of working effectively, both independently and as part of a team. You will possess excellent planning and time management skills. You will assist in the supervision of research students, in addition to ensuring your own research objectives are achieved effectively. You will prepare regular presentations and written reports detailing your research progress and present your research results at national and international conferences.
For more information, please contact Dr Seb Pike: [email protected]
Interview Date: TBC.
What we offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days’ holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information visit our Rewards and Benefits webpage.
We also have an excellent relocation package; to assess whether you may be entitled, please see details on the following page
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/vacancies/relocation/.
Athena SWAN Silver Award
We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To carry out a project at the interface of inorganic and materials chemistry, involving synthesis of novel metal-oxo clusters and cluster-based materials, evaluation of their physical and electronic structures, and study of their photoredox reactivities.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To synthesise reactive metal-containing precursors, novel metal-oxo clusters and cluster based materials, using air sensitive techniques where necessary.
2. To characterise new molecules using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and a range of spectroscopic techniques.
3. To characterise new materials using powder X-ray diffraction and a range of spectroscopic techniques.
4. To prepare regular oral and written reports on research progress and to present results at national and international conferences.
5. To contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication
6. To contribute to and assist in the running of weekly group meetings.
7. To assist in the supervision and training of research students.
8. To act with professionalism at all times and show respect to their colleagues and to understand and adhere to the University's value of dignity at work; they are also expected to work collegially and to support all the teams with which they have contact in achieving the University's objectives.
9. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.