Research Fellow in Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy Full-time

Research Fellow in Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy

The Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England, and today is one of the best in the UK, ranked 3rd in the UK for research excellence in REF(2021). Our department is situated in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and we offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to study at one of the UK's top universities. The Chemistry Department has over 50 members of academic staff carrying out world-leading research. We specialize in the areas of organic synthesis, chemical biology, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and materials chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical physics. The department has an annual research income of around £15 million, derived from many sources including the Research Councils (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, and NERC), European Commission and a wide range of charities and industrial partners in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Details about our research can be found on the departmental website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry.

The UK Catalysis Hub is a consortium for catalysis research. It brings together forty-six universities, fifteen companies, the STFC Harwell science facilities and thirteen international partners supporting a portfolio of projects across the themes of net zero, sustainability, digital chemistry and advanced characterisation. The CLF is a national laboratory for laser science hosting laser-based instruments accessible through peer reviewed proposal. Through its ULTRA facility for ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy, CLF has developed a range of new laser techniques that provide exciting new opportunities for use by the Catalysis Hub. CLF-ULTRA is co-located with the Catalysis Hub's Harwell Campus laboratories in the Research Complex at Harwell, the location also supporting the two partner's strong connections to Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron source.

About the Role

This experimental project will be carried out independently but also as part of a team of researchers from UCL and the CLF based in the Research Complex at Harwell, and through collaborations within the UK Catalysis Hub consortium. The postholder will be expected to supervise PhD and Masters students, assisting experimentally with their research projects, where necessary, and reading drafts of reports and papers, as well as managing lab safety. The project activities are:

1. Probing fundamental adsorbate-zeolite structure interactions with 2D-IR and Kerr-gated Raman spectroscopy

2. Development of transient analysis methods for differentiating between active and spectator species

Finally, the role includes supporting the Hub-CLF Raman Centre of Excellence's advanced instrument cluster.

This post is available for 2 years in the first instance with a possibility of extending for up to a further 3 years.

Please note that this position is based in Harwell, Oxfordshire.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £39,148 – £41,833 per annum, including London Allowance of £5,197 p.a.) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

About You

The postholder will be expected to have a PhD/DPhil in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related subject, and have experience and interest in the application of vibrational spectroscopic measurements of condensed phase samples for use in heterogeneous catalysis. The postholder will also have experience in scientific instrument operation – maintenance, development, data acquisition and control software operation/development.

To apply for the vacancy please click on the 'Apply Now' button below. Please include a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position and how you fulfill the job criteria, your CV and a list of publications. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Andrew Beale; andrew.beale@ucl.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process can be directed to hr.chem@ucl.ac.uk, as we wish to encourage online applications.

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme

• Hybrid Final Salary Pension Scheme

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• On-Site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance

Visit UCL Staff Rewards and Benefits to find out more.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: Equality Diversity & Inclusion.