Funded by a Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship, you would be working on the project "Predicting synthesisable materials: bridging the gap between computation and experiment", working at the interface of Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is one of just seven long-term 8M projects funded in the UK (royalsociety.org/news/2025/08/faraday-discovery-fellowship). This is an exciting opportunity to design and implement novel digital technologies in collaboration with a wide range of academic collaborators. You will be part of a larger team of Research Associates, PhD students, and a technician consisting of experimental chemists, computational chemists, and computer scientists specialising in AI. You are also expected to have the opportunity to engage with events, training and personal development activities run by the Royal Society.
You will develop methods for data-extraction from the literature, generative AI, as well as explore the training of LLMs to assist in guiding the synthesis of promising materials, using both software tools you develop and data collected by the larger team. You will also explore the integration of human-in-the-loop feedback to improve the models. The post is ideal for individuals interested in working creatively across a range of projects and experts, working closely with academics in Chemistry and Imperial's School for Human and Artificial Intelligence. The broader research environment also includes the EPSRC-funded AI hub for Chemistry (AIchemy), Co-Directed by Prof. Jelfs.
For those with significant experience as a Research Associate, there is the possibility to be appointed at a higher spine point acting as a research group manager. In that case, in addition to their research, the post holder would be expected to assist in the day-to-day running and strategic direction of Prof. Jelfs' research group, including supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate project students, co-managing and developing collaborations, kick-starting new research programmes, submission of publications and grant applications and recruitment. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate looking to gain the experience needed to pursue a long-term career in academia. Candidates interested in being considered for this level of position should indicate this within their application. Candidates in their early career post-PhD are expected to start at the lower end of the salary range.
What you would be doing
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You will:
Development and application of novel graph learning based methods
Development and application of novel AI methods for predicting the synthesisability of organic molecules
If appointed at a higher spine point:
to assist in the day-to-day running of the Jelfs research group including, but not restricted to, supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate project students and PDRAs, co-managing and developing collaborations (academic and industrial), kick-starting new research programmes and oversight of the strategic development of the group, writing and submission of publications and grant applications, and recruitment.
What we are looking for
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Experience in generative models and developing novel methods for them
Practical experience in state-of-the-art techniques in AI for chemistry
Experience of dealing with multidisciplinary experimental and theory collaborators
Practical experience within a research environment and publications in relevant journals
(For appointment at a senior level): experience as a post-doctoral research associate, experience of grant writing, experience of managing research programmes, excellent organisation skills, experience supervising junior researchers, ability to build productive working relationships
What we can offer you
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The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
Grow your career: gain access to Imperial's sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further information
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A start date from 1st January 2026 or thereafter is available.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) and fixed term for 36 months.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Prof. Kim Jelfs, k.jelfs@imperial.ac.uk
Available documents
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Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
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About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial College London.
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