Postdoctoral Research Associate in Solid-State Characterisation and Databas at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

28 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

29 Sep, 25

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

X-Ray Diffraction, Databases, Crystallisation, Characterisation Methods, Scientific Programming, Team Collaboration, Communication Skills, Research Supervision, Presentation Skills, Research Proposal Development, Molecular Solid Solutions, Automation Coding, Thermal Analyses, Solid-State NMR, Mechanochemistry, High Quality Research

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Working at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. Our Purpose and Values We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page The Role and Department The Chemistry Department at Durham University is one of the very best Chemistry Departments in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and employability of our students. Ranked 21 in REF2021 in terms of grade point average, the Chemistry Department is a thriving environment for research as well as for career development. The Role Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in X-ray diffraction and the use of databases? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities? We are looking for an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a research project based in the groups of Prof. Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza and Prof. John Evans. The project is part of a new £7m EPSRC funded Programme Grant that brings together a team of researchers from the universities of Durham, Leeds and Manchester investigating the formation of Molecular Solid Solutions (MoSS). Solid solutions are created when atoms or ions of a dopant are incorporated within the crystal structure of a host. Even at minute quantities, this can significantly alter the properties of crystals. Although solid solutions in metals and inorganic materials are well-studied, little is known about systems where the host and dopants are small organic molecules (MoSS). There is huge potential of utilising MoSS for changing and modulating materials properties, such as solubilities, crystal polymorph, crystal sizes and shapes and rates of dissolution. The overall goal of the consortium is to develop and apply cutting-edge techniques in crystal synthesis, characterisation and modelling to study and generate a new understanding of MoSS. These advances will have applications across multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and food industries. There are multiple opportunities to collaborate, take part in network events and undertake research placements within this project. You will have a PhD in Physical Sciences or a closely related field, and you will have a background in X-ray diffraction. Knowledge of databases, crystallisation and other characterisation methods for molecular crystals is a must. The key responsibilities are to develop a database of MoSS, to study MoSS with various diffraction methods, to develop code to automate the characterisation of MoSS with diffraction and other methods. The successful candidate will be involved in the supervision of a PhD student during the duration of the position and will have significant of opportunities for career development. Key responsibilities: To lead the development of a MoSS database. To produce MoSS through crystallisation and mechanochemistry. To study MoSS through diffraction methods in-house as well as in national facilities. To study MoSS through other characterisation methods such as thermal analyses, XRD and solid-state NMR. To develop and implement coding tools (python, C++, bash scripting…) for the automation of MoSS characterisation To work closely with other experimentalists in the consortium and support experiments through computations To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications. To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences. To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals. To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder. To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects. To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate. To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students. To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline. To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. This post is fixed term for 36 Months - the funding is available from 1st October 2025. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st January 2026. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups. If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application. The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiries Any queries should be addressed to Prof Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza (aurora.j.cruz-cabeza@durham.ac.uk) Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). University contact for general queries about the recruitment process How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below. Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a 30 minute presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around the first two weeks of November 2025. In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. Person Specification Essential Criteria: Qualifications A good first degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or Natural Sciences A PhD (or be close to submission) in Solid State Chemistry or a related subject. Experience Experience in diffraction and scientific programming (e.g. Python) is required Knowledge of Crystallography and experience working with the Cambridge Structural Database Experience in various synthesis and characterisation methods for molecular crystals. Experience in conducting high quality academic research. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals. Demonstrable ability to present research papers at relevant national and international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community. Skills Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Desirable Criteria Experience Experience with Databases. Experience working at DIAMOND. Experience with the powder diffraction software TOPAS. Experience with the single crystal X-ray diffraction software Olex2 Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career. A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics. Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals. Skills Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will lead the development of a database of Molecular Solid Solutions (MoSS) and study MoSS using various diffraction methods. They will also develop coding tools for the automation of MoSS characterisation and supervise a PhD student during the position.