Research Fellow in Synthetic Organic Chemistry - School of Chemistry - 98280 - Grade 7

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Birmingham, ENGLAND
Job Type: Temporary
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Research Fellow in Synthetic Organic Chemistry - School of Chemistry - 98280 - Grade 7 - (210001RJ)

Description

 

 

         

 

Position Details

School of Chemistry in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,406 to £40,927 with potential progression once in post to £43,434.  PLEASE NOTE - due to external funding limitations the maximum starting salary that can be offered is £34,304

Grade 7 

Full time

Fixed-term for up to 35 months

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK 

Closing Date: 24 October 2021 

Background

We are looking to appoint a skilled researcher with expertise in synthetic organic chemistry to develop divergent, modular and flexible routes into sp3-rich azacyclic motifs. The appointed researcher will be based in the School of Chemistry and will work under the guidance of Dr Paul Davies and alongside a team of postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers working across the field of gold catalysis. 

The researcher will study and develop new catalytic methodology to realise multi-step one-pot and complexity-building processes. The project, which is for three years, will explore catalyst and reactant controlled divergent pathways that exploit new activation approaches in pi-acid catalysis. In addition to exploring the scope of the process, the researcher will develop effective and stereoselective transformations of the resulting polycycles. These resulting structurally diverse azacyclic frameworks will be used as the basis of focused chemical libraries with desirable physicochemical properties for early stage drug discovery. The researcher will build upon the expertise of the Davies group in the area of nitrenoid chemistry, gold catalysis and the use of heteroatom –substituted alkynes for reaction discovery as well as current projects focused on compound library development. 
Job share arrangements may be considered. The position is available from 1st November 2021, but the person must be able to start before 1st February 2022.

Summary of Role

•    Work within specified research grants and projects
•    Operate within area of specialism
•    Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
•    Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, reports and funding bids
•    Contribute to the effective operation and development of the research group
•    Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties/Responsibilities

•    To prepare and characterise new compounds.
•    To study and develop effective new catalysis-based methodology for efficient complexity-building synthesis.
•    To establish and optimise reaction routes and strategies to achieve the project aims
•    To realise the effective elaboration of functionalised polyclic motifs into diverse and desirable azacyclic scaffolds 
•    To realise the design and formation of focused compound libraries to establish structure-reactivity and structure-activity relationships. 
•    To design, perform and critically interpret experiments to achieve the project goals in a way that is consistent with the requirements for publication of high quality research.
•    Develop research objectives and proposals for the funded project area, with assistance of a mentor if required
•    To analyse and interpret data and ensure its secure storage in an open and accessible fashion
•    Prepare high quality data sections and supporting information for publication 
•    To work closely with other members of the project team to effectively transfer knowledge and enable wider uptake of the developed methodology 
•    Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
•    Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
•    Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
•    Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
•    Contribute to writing bids for research funding
•    Undertake management/administration arising from research
•    Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
•    Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
•    Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
•    Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
•    Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
•    Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
•    Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification 

•    First degree in Chemistry and hold, or be close to completing a PhD in Organic Chemistry (suitable areas include, but are not necessarily limited to, homogeneous catalysis-based method development/discovery, natural product or other complex-target synthesis, study of organic reaction mechanisms), or equivalent qualifications/experiences
•    Experienced in the development of effective new methodology for organic synthesis.
•    Fluency in models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones in the fields of transition metal catalysis and/or polycyclisaiton reactions and/or stereoselective synthesis.
•    Effective problem solving capabilities for organic synthesis
•    High level analytical capability (1D and 2D NMR)
•    Effectively plan and organise their activities to realise the specific research project Contributes to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or 
•    Keeps detailed laboratory records and reports proactively on progress through direct conversation, written reports and oral presentations.
•    Delivers high quality work within agreed deadlines.
•    Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
•    Ability to work collaboratively to enhance individual’s research and to avoid conflict or duplication of effort, and to supervise and support junior group members in relevant research work
•    Be able to present concise, accurate and detailed research summaries
•    Ability to communicate complex information clearly in English in writing and in oral and visual presentations
•    Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
•    Manage administrative tasks related to own work
•    Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Paul Davies ([email protected]). Please note that formal applications sent directly to this address will not be accepted and must be submitted through the advertised channel. 

 

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working. 

 
Primary Location
: GB-GB-Birmingham
Job
: Academic Non-clinical
Organization
: Chemistry
Schedule
: Temporary
 Full-time
Job Posting
: 23.09.2021, 7:00:00 PM
Grade (for job description): Grade 7
Salary (Pay Basis)
: 31,406.00
Maximum Salary
: 43,434.00
Advert Close Date
: 24.10.2021, 6:59:00 PM
Fixed Term Contract End Date 31.12.2024

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