Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company

University of Edinburgh

Job description

Job DescriptionUE07 £40,247 – £47,874 per annumCollege of Science and Engineering/School of ChemistryPostdoctoral Research AssociateFull time: 35 hoursFixed term: 14 monthsWe seek a talented and self-motivated postdoc to work on a project in the ion spectroscopy and laboratory astrochemistry team led by Dr. E. K. Campbell. The position is offered for up to 14 months. The earliest starting date for the successful candidate is 1st March 2025.The Opportunity:We offer an exciting opportunity to carry out state-of-art spectroscopic experiments at the School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh. The project is motivated by one of the most exciting breakthroughs in astrochemisty over the last several decades: the iconic Buckminsterfullerene cation C60+ was identified as a carrier of several diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). This has not only provided the first answer to one of the most perplexing and longest standing problems in molecular spectroscopy and observational astronomy but also lays a roadmap toward revealing and understanding the molecular inventory of the interstellar medium (ISM), during a key stage in the evolutionary cycle of stars. Through this project, gas phase electronic and infrared spectra of fullerenes, their analogues, and related molecular ions of long standing astrochemical interest will be obtained for the first time using a combination of modern laboratory tools. These will be recorded at temperatures relevant to the ISM in experiments that exploit the unique capabilities of cryogenic radiofrequency (RF) ion traps. Ultimately, the goal is to address the grand challenge of identifying some of the remaining DIB carriers, and to understand their importance in our molecular universe.Your skills and attributes for success:

• Experience in gas phase laser spectroscopy
• Experience working with high vacuum and cryogenic instrumentation
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Click here for a copy of the full job descriptionAs a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusionThe University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages(opens new browser tab)The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.Key dates to noteThe closing date for applications is 10 February 2025.Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.The review of applications will continue until the position has been filled.About UsAs a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.About the TeamThe School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh has a long and distinguished history. The first Chemistry Professor was appointed to the Chair in 1713 and the Edinburgh University student-led Chemical Society is regarded as the oldest chemical society in the world. The School is run as a single academic unit with approximately 160 staff (made up of academic, postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff) and 800 students (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students). Our vision is for all students and staff to harness their curiosity, utilising outstanding and diverse talents to pursue knowledge that can be used to tackle global challenges and improve people’s lives. Sustainability, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of all our school activities.School of Chemistry researchers deliver advances in both core and interdisciplinary chemistry across five overlapping themes: Catalysis & Synthesis, the Chemistry-Biology Interface, Functional Materials, Structural Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics, and Energy, Environment & Sustainable Chemistry. Our research underpins solutions to major global challenges including health, climate change, and sustainability, and we collaborate extensively with other disciplines and industry partners to take our research towards use. Our 55 group leaders work with a similar number of postdoctoral researchers and approx.155 research students to deliver £32M of current research grants across government, charity and industry funders, as well as a wide variety of public engagement activities.Along with the University of St Andrews we formed EaStCHEM in 2004 to combine the research activities of two of Scotland’s leading schools of chemistry. Combined, we are the largest chemistry unit research in the UK. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), we were one of only three chemistry submissions to achieve a 100% “world-leading” score for our research environment. We hold a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of excellence in science, engineering and technology employment in higher education relating to supporting women in Science. We are particularly proud of establishing the Christina Miller Fellowships, which have enabled seven talented postdoctoral researchers from under-represented groups to establish themselves as independent group leaders.For further information about our school is available on the School of Chemistry Website (https://chem.ed.ac.uk/) (opens in a new browser tab).

Expected salary

£40247 – 47874 per year

Location

Edinburgh

Job date

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:01:46 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.