Research Fellow in Supramolecular Synthesis – School of Chemistry – 907230 – Grade 8 Full-time

Job Title

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary

Grade 8, £47,389 (pro rata)

Employment Type

Full Time, Casual – total of 4 months (work 2 months, have a 2 month gap then work for another 2 months).

Closing Date

23 March 2026

Eligibility

You are only eligible to apply to this role if you are a non-student casual. If you are a non-student applicant, you will need to put N/A or random numbers in the mandatory student information sections.

Background

The School of Chemistry seeks to attract outstanding, inspirational and talented people, supporting them to succeed and celebrating their success. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The School of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, in recognition of its work in promoting women's careers in higher education. The University of Birmingham is a member institution of the Race Equality Charter, a Disability Confident Employer and contributes to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. We support flexible working and studying.

Our research is driven by four core themes—Energy, Sustainability, Environment, and Health – complemented by interdisciplinary Interest Groups, serving as catalysts for emerging ideas. This dynamic structure makes our School an exciting place to work and collaborate.

Major University investment in our subject enabled the 2024 opening of our state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Building. We recently completed the strategic expansion of our academic staff, and we continue to invest in teaching and learning excellence.

As part of our collegiate community, you will demonstrate academic citizenship by cultivating generous, respectful, and supportive working relationships. You will positively influence how others succeed, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our culture.

The post holder will create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area.

Role Summary

Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation

Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes

Contribute to the development of research strategies

Publish results of own research

Supervise PhD students

Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership

Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support

Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research

Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff

Present findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings

Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued

Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University

Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline

Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School

Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University

Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research

Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding

Person Specification

Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (PhD or near to completion) or equivalent qualifications

Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism

Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation

Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results

Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods

Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity

Informal enquiries to Professor Mike Hannon m.j.hannon@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.