Doctoral Candidate

Job title:

Doctoral Candidate

Company

University College London

Job description

About usThe Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England, with 100% of its outputs ranked as being world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the recent REF2021. We are located in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to study in one of the UK’s top universities.
The Department of Chemistry at UCL is committed to supporting excellence in both research and teaching. The department offers undergraduate BSc and MSci programmes in Chemistry and currently teaches ~650 undergraduates registered in Chemistry as well as students who select Chemistry on the Natural Sciences programme and first year Chemistry for life scientists. The Chemistry Department has over 60 members of academic staff carrying out world-leading research. We specialise in the areas of organic synthesis, chemical biology, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and materials chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics. The department has an annual research income of around £15 million, derived from many sources including the Research Councils (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, and NERC), European Commission and a wide range of charities and industrial partners in the UK, Europe and the USA. Details about our research can be found on the departmental website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry.About the roleApplications are invited for a Doctoral Candidate to work in the group of Professor Helen Fielding in the Department of Chemistry at University College London. This position is part of a HORIZON-MSCA Doctoral Training Network “Liquid phase Ultrafast photoeMIssion spEctroscopy of biomimetic photoREactions” (LUMIERE), which aims to train the next generation of talented European physical science researchers in a cutting-edge multidisciplinary environment to advance our molecular-level understanding of biomimetic switches. The results of the research undertaken within the network will impact the development of bio-imaging tools, the engineering of novel light-driven molecular devices, and the design of smart drugs triggered by light. This position will involve using gas-phase and liquid-microjet photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and femtosecond time-resolved PES (TRPES) to probe how an environment impacts the electronic structure and ultrafast dynamics of deprotonated biomimetic switches.The position is funded for 36 months, and the work is expected to lead to the award of a PhD. The position will start 1 February 2025 or 1 May 2025. The salary ranges from £35,159 – £46,759 per annum, depending on circumstances.About youThe successful candidate will have a Masters degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Physics, Natural Sciences or a similar subject at the time of starting the post. They will have a passion for high quality interdisciplinary research in the physical sciences and an enthusiasm and interest in photochemistry and laser spectroscopy. Experience in photochemistry or laser spectroscopy is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.During the three years, the researcher will also undertake research/training placements at partners within the LUMIERE network: Max-Born Institute, Berlin, Germany (time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with XUV light); Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin, Germany (XUV photoemission spectroscopy); Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy (electronic structure calculations); Advanced Microfluidic Systems GmbH, Göttingen, Germany (liquid microjets); University of Siena, Italy (synthesis of biomimentic switches). There will be a high degree of interaction with other partners within the Doctoral Training Network. Excellent team-working and communication skills, and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research at the photochemistry/spectroscopy/ultrafast lasers/computational chemistry interface will be required.
To be eligible for the post you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies) in the UK for more than 12 months prior to the recruitment date.Please write your application in English and upload the following with your application: • A cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for the post, understanding of the research project, and previous research experience.

• A curriculum vitae setting out your educational qualifications as well as any additional scientific achievements and publications.
• Evidence of English proficiency – for more details please see: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/english-language-requirements
• Copy of Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates (if available at the time of application).
• Copy of Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation from researchers familiar with your academic activities, e.g. the advisor of your Master’s thesis

(You can amalgamate the requested documents if it easier to upload them to your application).A full job description, person specification, eligibility and application requirements can be accessed via the link below.To apply for the vacancy please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.For informal enquiries please contact Professor Helen FieldingQueries on the application process can be directed to H Dansey h.dansey@ucl.ac.uk, as we wish to encourage online applications.What we offerThe salary ranges from £35,159 – £46,759 per annum, depending on circumstances.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/.Available documents

Expected salary

£35159 – 46759 per year

Location

North West London

Job date

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 05:46:39 GMT

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