Job Description

Research Fellow (110588-0625)

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Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department
Chemistry
Position Type
Fixed Term
Duration
Fixed Term Contract for 1 year
Salary
35,116 - 45,413 per annum
About the Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Hannes Houck (

Royal Society University Research Fellow)

hannes.houck@warwick.ac.uk

The Photochemistry for Materials group is looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral research fellow to join our team under the supervision of Dr Hannes Houck at the University of Warwick.


Our research is situated at the interface of organic synthesis, photochemistry and polymer science with the overarching ambition to meticulously design novel chemical building blocks and finetune their reactivity to design materials with advanced functionality and improved sustainability. Specifically, we develop small molecule photoreactions that allow for the efficient formation of covalently bound reaction products under (visible) light irradiation. Importantly, the thus formed adducts display subsequent reactivity that can be activated on-demand to introduce smart and responsive behaviour into materials, including (bio)degradation and closed-loop recyclability.


Applications are invited to join our team on a 12-month post-doctoral research project funded by The Royal Society. In this role, you will be investigating new photochemistry platforms for covalent bond (re)formation under visible light irradiation, whereby the resulting photoadducts display subsequent reactivity including reversion and/or degradation. You will be optimising the photochemical bonding reactivity through a detailed photophysical understanding of the chromophores and pioneer novel structural analogues applicable to macromolecular applications.



About You
We are looking to recruit a highly motivated person with creative ideas and a passion for science, with expertise in organic synthesis, photochemical reactions (e.g. photocycloadditions) and photophysical chemistry. You must have experience in small molecule organic photochemistry and molecular characterisation methods (e.g. nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), mass spectrometry, gas-chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)). Experience in continuous photo-flow synthesis, material characterisation, or light-based additive manufacturing is desirable. The project involves several challenging research aspects and provides an opportunity to use your expertise and develop new skills.


You should be able to work both independently and with other team members and be able to inspire and lead junior researchers (PhD, MChem, MSc) working alongside your project. You are expected to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience of presenting your work to both national and international audiences. You will have the opportunity to engage with the wider research community and departmental activities, such as outreach or teaching.


You should hold (or be near completion of) a PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or other science). If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.


For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.



About the Department
The Department of Chemistry at Warwick is a thriving community of students, academics, researchers, and support staff.


Our fundamental research pushes boundaries in all major fields of Chemistry. Through collaborations with the wider science community and industry, our applied work aims to tackle huge global issues from antimicrobial resistance, to solar energy harvesting, and sustainable materials.


We provide an inclusive, vibrant and friendly environment where our students have dedicated support to explore their passion for chemistry.

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Athena SWAN

Silver Award

We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.



About the University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We're one of the world's top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK, with 92% of our research assessed to be 'world leading or internationally excellent'*.


You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Research Excellence Framework 2021


To find out more about us visit our website.



How to Apply

CLOSING DATE: Thursday 26th June 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, submit an application form by the closing date.


Please plan for any potential delays as you will not be able to submit an application form past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 23:30).


You will have to attach a CV and a cover letter.

Your

CV

should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience. Your

cover letter

should explain your

motivations for applying

to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the

essential and desirable criteria

detailed in the Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.