Postdoctoral Research Fellow in High-Pressure Synthesis of Energetic Materials

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in High-Pressure Synthesis of Energetic Materials

Company:

University of Edinburgh

Job description

Job Category: AcademicJob Description:Grade UE07: £40,497 – £48,149 per annumCollege of Science & Engineering, School of ChemistryFull Time: 35 hours per weekFixed Term: 12 month contractThe Opportunity:The School of Chemistry are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist to work on a UK government-funded project that will develop new high-pressure routes for the preparation and recovery of polymeric CO – an energetic material with a high energy density. Recovered samples will be investigated using a range of analytical techniques, with a focus on quantifying energy output and sensitivity to initiation by external stimuli.The project will be jointly supervised by Prof. Colin Pulham in the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh and Professor Craig Bull at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell. The successful candidate will be based predominantly at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility and will interact closely with Prof. Bull’s team of high-pressure research scientists.The successful candidate will hold a PhD in the area of high-pressure chemistry or physics, with extensive experience of the use of diamond-anvil cells and the collection and interpretation of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction data under extreme conditions. Prior experience of the use of larger-volume pressure cells is desirable.Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD degree (or equivalent) in high-pressure chemistry, high-pressure physics, or a closely related discipline.
• PhD training (or equivalent) in the use of diamond-anvil cells.
• Experience of the experimental methods and associated analytical techniques to prepare and characterise materials under high-pressure conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct, publish and otherwise disseminate high-quality research, with excellent paper outputs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – prepared to represent the collaborative team interact effectively with colleagues.

Click to view a copy of the full (opens new browser tab)The successful candidate will also have to satisfy the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our

(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefitsChampioning equality, diversity and inclusionThe University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our (opens new browser tab)The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.Key dates to noteThe closing date for applications is 16th May 2025Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.Interviews will be held late May/early JuneAbout Us: As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.About the Team:The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh has a long and distinguished history. The first Chemistry Professor was appointed to the Chair in 1713 and the Edinburgh University student-led Chemical Society is regarded as the oldest chemical society in the world. The School is run as a single academic unit with approximately 160 staff (made up of academic, postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff) and 800 students (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research students). Our vision is for all students and staff to harness their curiosity, utilising outstanding and diverse talents to pursue knowledge that can be used to tackle global challenges and improve people’s lives. Sustainability, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of all our school activities.School of Chemistry researchers deliver advances in both core and interdisciplinary chemistry across five overlapping themes: Catalysis & Synthesis, the Chemistry-Biology Interface, Functional Materials, Structural Chemistry & Chemical Dynamics, and Energy, Environment & Sustainable Chemistry. Our research underpins solutions to major global challenges including health, climate change, and sustainability, and we collaborate extensively with other disciplines and industry partners to take our research towards use. Our 55 group leaders work with a similar number of postdoctoral researchers and approx.155 research students to deliver £32M of current research grants across government, charity and industry funders, as well as a wide variety of public engagement activities.Along with the University of St Andrews we formed EaStCHEM in 2004 to combine the research activities of two of Scotland’s leading schools of chemistry. Combined, we are the largest chemistry unit research in the UK. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), we were one of only three chemistry submissions to achieve a 100% “world-leading” score for our research environment. We hold a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of excellence in science, engineering and technology employment in higher education relating to supporting women in Science. We are particularly proud of establishing the Christina Miller Fellowships, which have enabled seven talented postdoctoral researchers from under-represented groups to establish themselves as independent group leaders.For further information about our school is available on the ( ) (opens in a new browser tab).

Expected salary

£40497 – 48149 per year

Location

Edinburgh – Midlothian

Job date

Fri, 02 May 2025 05:27:51 GMT

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