Horizon Europe Guarantee MSCA Doctoral Network Researcher - FLUXIONIC

9 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Oxford, Department of Chemistry

Department

Department of Chemistry

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

22 Mar 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Fellow will be considered to be both a registered student of the University, being enrolled for a comprehensive PhD/DPhil training in Oxford and as part of a European network, and also employed as a worker.

Alongside research work, the department provides training in teaching skills, and there are opportunities to take part in teaching activities in the department, such as undergraduate classes and laboratory demonstrating, and tutorial teaching in colleges. However, please note that under the terms of the funding (which is provided by the UKRI Horizon guarantee scheme) the post-holder may not be paid for any teaching or other activities carried out over and above the full-time requirements of the post.

Water and ions in confined geometry arise in a vast range of natural phenomena, from the salt organs of marine animals to the biomineralizing environments where shells, teeth, cytoskeletons are formed. The electrolyte solutions involved in these processes are highly complex, involving multiple ionic and non-ionic ingredients. Ionic species can be atomic ions (such as Na+, Cl-) or molecular ions (e.g. sulfate, carbonate, charged lipids, nucleotides). Molecular species can be polar, zwitterionic (e.g. amino acids), or polymeric/polyelectrolytic. These co-solutes can be crucial in determining the outcome of a process, e.g. the polymorph resulting from mineralisation. In this project you will study the influence of ‘spectator’ ions and polymers on structure and interactions in electrolyte solutions confined to thin films, and their effect on mineralisation from supersaturated solutions in confinement. This role includes experimental and theoretical study of aqueous solutions at interfaces and in thin films using a surface force balance (SFB) within the research team of Susan Perkin. The work is based in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, part of the Department of Chemistry. Interested candidates are invited to be in contact directly to find out more about the project: [email protected] .

The successful applicant will also become a member of the EU network “FLUXIONIC”, funded from 2024-2028 by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions grant. They will become part of a Europe-wide network of students and investigators all working on projects related to Controlled transport of water and ions in nanoconfinement. Annual scientific meetings and training events will be included in the network’s activities. Furthermore, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to carry out a secondment at another laboratory (“node”) of the network during the 36 month project.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

1. Hold a Masters level degree or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry or a related area (or be close to completion).
2. Demonstrate interests in a relevant field, e.g. through prior research project(s) in experimental physical chemistry
3. Be able to demonstrate competence and success in previous academic work. Evidence will be sought of a deep understanding of the applicant's previous fields of study or research as indicators that such attributes can be brought to bear on the present project.
4. Demonstrate ability and interest in working with complex experimental setups and data analysis; for example involving mechanical, optical, electronic and computer control elements.
5. Communicate well in English in writing and in oral and visual presentations.
6. Be a motivated, enthusiastic, organised self-starter; one who can work with a minimum of supervision but at the same time extract the benefits of an excellent research environment.
7. Show an ability to work collaboratively in a laboratory environment, to supervise and educate junior co-workers, and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information.

The selected candidate will be required to submit a formal application for DPhil in Chemistry:
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-chemistry The appointment is subject to your securing and retaining student status both within the University and your college throughout the fellowship.

Under the terms of the UKRI Horizon guarantee scheme funding, to be eligible for this post candidates:

- at the time of the fellowship start date, must not already be in possession of a PhD or have more than 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience as measured from the award date of your first degree or undergraduate degree.

- must not have been resident in the UK for more than a total of 12 months in the past three years up to the fellowship start date as the scheme aims to promote mobility within the research community

To be eligible candidates must also be accepted by the University of Oxford as a DPhil student and continue to be a registered student for the duration of the employment contract. Candidates will be assisted with the graduate admissions process. All graduate awards are subject to the Examination Regulations currently in force: see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/

Research Field

Chemistry

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Oxford, Department of Chemistry

Country

United Kingdom

State/Province

Oxfordshire

City

Oxford

Postal Code

OX1 3QZ

Street

South Parks Road

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form?p_compa…

Contact

City

Oxford

Website

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk

Street

South Parks Road

Postal Code

OX1 3QZ

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED