Job Description

NMR Method for in Situ Monitoring of Heterogeneous Reactions

A postdoctoral research associate position funded by the Leverhulme Trust with Prof. Jordi Bur\xc3\xa9s is available for 2 years. The selected PDRA will join a team of three PDRAs to develop an NMR device for in situ monitoring of heterogeneous reactions.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the premier technique for chemical reaction monitoring as it provides both kinetic and structural information for all reaction components simultaneously. Regrettably, due to design limitations of NMR instruments, spectral information for heterogeneous reactions remains inaccessible. Heterogeneous reactions, such as those in immiscible liquid-liquid systems or mixtures involving solid particles in liquids, are pivotal in numerous industrial chemical processes ranging from polymer synthesis to drug creation and catalysis. Bringing NMR spectroscopy to the analysis of heterogeneous reactions would profoundly enhance our grasp of the complex mechanisms and kinetics inherent in these systems. The extensive insights offered by NMR spectra hold the promise of revolutionizing various industrial processes, leading to wide-reaching socio-economic benefits, as seen in the health sector through the development of novel drugs and in manufacturing with the design of innovative plastics and refinement of existing materials.

The project will be executed in tight collaboration with the research teams of Dr. Ralph Adams (NMR) and Dr. Julien Landel (fluid mechanics and engineering). The PDRA with a chemistry focus will assess the kinetics of chemical reactions involving diverse heterogeneous mixtures conducted in standard reaction vessels and stirrers. This will be compared to results from the mechanically stirred NMR devices constructed by the other PDRAs. Furthermore, this novel method will be employed to delve into the mechanisms of several industrially pertinent transformations.

Applicants should possess, or be in the process of obtaining, a PhD in organic chemistry.

For more details about the group, visit the webpage: https://jordibures.wixsite.com/buresgroup

Recent publications of the group related to kinetic analysis, mechanistic studies and reaction monitoring are:

• Bur\xc3\xa9s, J.*; Larrosa, I.* Nature 2023, 613, 689-695

\xe2\x80\x9cOrganic reaction mechanism classification using machine learning\xe2\x80\x9d

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05639-4

• Alamillo-Ferrer, Hutchinson, G.; Bur\xc3\xa9s, J.* Nature Reviews Chemistry 2023, 7, 26-34

\xe2\x80\x9cMechanistic interpretation of orders in catalyst greater than one\xe2\x80\x9d

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-022-00447-w

• Hutchinson, G.; Alamillo-Ferrer, C.; Bur\xc3\xa9s, J.* Journal of the American Chemical Society 2021, 143, 6805-6809

\xe2\x80\x9cMechanistically Guided Design of an Efficient and Enantioselective Aminocatalytic \xce\xb1-Chlorination of Aldehydes\xe2\x80\x9d

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.1c02997

• Nielsen, D.-T. C.; Bur\xc3\xa9s, J.* Chemical Science 2019, 10, 348-353

\xe2\x80\x9cVisual kinetic analysis\xe2\x80\x9d

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/sc/c8sc04698k

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to .

Any CV\'s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof Jordi Bur\xc3\xa9s

Email:

General enquiries:

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Technical support:

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

University of Manchester