Job Description

School of Science

Applications are invited for a 14-month postdoctoral research associate in organic synthesis and chemical biology. This is an EPSRC Impact Acceleration project working with Dr Stephen Butler (Chemistry, Loughborough University) to synthesise macrocyclic luminescent probes designed to recognise specific biological anions in aqueous media. In collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, we will evaluate the probes as new bioassay tools for real-time tracking of biological processes. The successful candidate will join a research team combining expertise in organic synthesis, photophysical analysis of host-guest complexes and bioassay development.

This project follows our recent breakthrough in the development of luminescent lanthanide probes for tracking pharmaceutically important enzyme reactions in real-time, offering a potentially powerful new tool for high-throughput screening and identification of drug candidates. The primary objective is to synthesise fully functionalised molecular probes and optimise their performance as new bioassays and imaging reagents in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, global leaders in bioassay technologies. We will determine key probe performance parameters including selectivity, sensitivity, stability and operational simplicity.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a cross-disciplinary collaboration. The position is ideally suited for an ambitious early career researcher with a strong background in organic synthesis. Experience in plate-reader based assays and/or supramolecular techniques (e.g. spectroscopic host-guest titrations) would be advantageous. The successful candidate will be highly motivated with a keen interest in translating fundamental scientific research to the next stage of commercialisation with the strong support of industrial collaborators.

For relevant publications please see: Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 5373-538; Chem. Sci., 2022, 13, 3386-3394.

For more information about the Butler Group see:

This is a full-time 14-month position to commence on or after 1st November 2023.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Stephen Butler by email at

Closing date for applications is 3rd September 2023, for further information please follow this

From \xc2\xa333,966. Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 6

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