Postdoctoral Research Associate

School of Chemistry

University of Edinburgh (UK)

Salary: £30,728 - £34,565 (UE07)

36 months fixed term

A fixed-term postdoctoral research position is available for an outstanding and ambitious individual in the research group of Dr Michael Shaver. The successful candidate will be required to develop a new research program in coordination chemistry inspired controlled radical polymerisation and to contribute more generally to the work of the Shaver group.

Applicants should have, or expect to receive by the start date, a PhD in inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry or a closely related field. Additional postdoctoral experience is an advantage. They should be capable of working in a team and leading others where required. The project will involve the use of inert atmosphere synthetic techniques to develop new mediators for controlled radical polymerisation, more specifically atom transfer radical polymerisation. The project sits at the interface between inorganic and polymer chemistry and specifically looks to develop systems that address challenges in monomer scope and the interplay between different polymerisation mechanisms. Expertise in one or both of synthetic inorganic chemistry or controlled radical polymerisation is desired. A familiarity with polymer chemistry, catalysis screening and organic chemistry is beneficial, but not essential. The successful applicant will be expected to engage in collaborative work as part of an EPSRC-funded research program involving global academic and industrial collaborators. 

The position is available initially for 12 months and, subject to mutual approval, will be renewed for a further 24 months. Further information about the research team can be found at greenmaterialslaboratory.wordpress.com. The position is available from September 2014. Initial enquiries should be made to Dr Michael Shaver (michael.shaver@ed.ac.uk).