Job Description

Natural Products Synthesis Chemist
Agriculture, Health and Environment Location: Medway Campus
Salary: 38,784 to 44,746 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Release Date: Friday 05 September 2025
Closing Date: Friday 19 September 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: 5126
The Natural Resources Institute is a specialist research, knowledge exchange and postgraduate training unit based at the University of Greenwich's Medway Campus. We aspire to be a global leader in collaborative research, knowledge exchange and learning to co-create a just, healthy, and sustainable future for all. We do this through transforming lives through research, innovation, and learning.
The NRI has an international footprint and is home to over 80 international scientists and social scientists. We have made award-winning discoveries collaborating with partners across sectors and disciplines to co-create environmental resilience, sustainable agriculture, health, and food security. NRI works towards a just world free from disease, hunger, poverty, and violence. We are an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible research and learning institute.
The Institute has a strong history of innovative research to address global challenges related to agriculture and food security. The unique diversity of disciplines across NRI's three departments provides opportunities for transdisciplinary and systems research relevant to tackling the complexity of contemporary and emerging global agriculture, biodiversity, food security, food system and one-health challenges.
An opportunity has arisen for a natural products synthesis chemist to join the Chemical Ecology and Plant Biochemistry group. The successful applicant will carry out organic chemical synthesis and analysis as part of the team working on application of chemical ecology for control of pests and diseases of crops, livestock, and people.
The post-holder's responsibilities will be to carry out identification and synthesis of natural products from insects, plants, and animals as part of existing projects. They will be expected to contribute to applications for future funding to continue research, and to the preparation of research outputs including published papers. There will be opportunities for the post-holder to undertake teaching at postgraduate and undergraduate level. Candidates must have a good theoretical and practical background in chemistry with an interest in natural products, as demonstrated through a relevant PhD. Specific training in synthesis of insect-produced chemicals will be provided.
This appointment will be made at AC2 level.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Prof. David Hall at
Should you have any recruitment related queries please contact the People Directorate Operations Team on
Further details of the fantastic benefits and what we offer can be found here: and information on the University's working principles:
To apply, please visit the University of Greenwich vacancies page and complete all details, including the supporting statements (please note attached CVs and personal statements will not be seen by the recruitment panel at the application stage).
Employment Visa: Under the UK Government Points Based System scheme this role meets the criteria to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker Route application. Applicants from outside of the UK could also consider using the Global Talent Leadership visa route.
We are committed to building a strong, diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly encourage applications from [protected characteristic(s)], who are currently under-represented within the University of Greenwich at these levels/within these areas.
We do this through taking positive action such as encouraging applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled and LGBT+ people. As part of our commitment to / , we are committed to promoting and supporting the physical and mental health of all our staff, and removing barriers to improve inclusion.
We encourage applicants to disclose experience of mental health problems so we can support them fully during our recruitment process and make any necessary reasonable adjustments. Any information disclosed will be kept confidential and separate from the job application form.
We are making significant strides to understand and continuously improve our employees' experience and we are committed to implementing progressive diversity talent management.
Further details:

Skills Required