Description

Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2027

Closing date: 23rd April 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role

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Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

Role Summary

To undertake research into the functionalisation of natural polymers under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Dove and Dr Deborah Crawford.
To design, characterise and study both solution and melt phase methods to functionalise natural biopolymers to enable blending with other polymers, including PVA.
To produce regular reports pertaining to the project as requested; attend regular project meetings; give regular presentations to the group; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
To play an active role in the Dove and Crawford research groups, participating in all group meetings and activities. You may help to supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
Participate in the collaborative meetings across the network as well as work with, and at, the project collaborators, Aquapak.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

Perform research and collect data in the specified area to a high level of competency and quality.
Maintain a high level of knowledge of the immediate and surrounding literature.
Contribute to developing new ideas, directions, techniques and methods in order to advance the project and enhance its quality.
Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
Analyse and interpret data generated from all aspects of the project.
Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
Contribute to writing scientific papers and bids for research funding.
Disseminate research findings by oral and other presentation in a range of fora from group meetings to research seminars and conferences etc.
Provide guidance and supervision to support staff and students in the group.
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, the University and the company cosponsor, often under supervision of a project leader.
Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

Person Specification

First degree in Chemistry and normally, a higher degree (PhD) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
Excellent research profile in the area of in the area of polymer synthesis and functionalisation.
An interest in polymer processing and/or mechanochemistry.
High level analytical capability and experience in use of characterisation of small molecules and polymers by a range of techniques including NMR, IR, chromatography, DSC, TGA etc.
Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
Ability to keep up to date with new developments in the fields relevant to the project.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team on research programmes.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
Ability to write and give presentations to both national and international audience standard and communicate complex information clearly.
Ability to install and maintain relevant equipment and to train other personnel on operation of this equipment.
Excellent writing skills and record of success in published papers.

Informal enquiries to Andrew Dove, email: a.dove@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

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