Research Fellow – School of Chemistry – 106710 – Grade 7 Full-time

Research Fellow Position

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK, is seeking applications for a 12-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta's group, and specifically to develop hydrogels and their applications for measurement of biomarkers in complex samples. Successful delivery will have revolutionary impact on early detection of diseases such as cancer.

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,636.

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2027.

Closing date: 12th March 2026.

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

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.

To develop hydrogels and their applications for measurement of biomarkers in complex samples.

To support research within Gupta group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.

To produce regular reports pertaining to the projects; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports.

To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

Collect, analyse, and interpret research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.

Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.

Contribute to developing ideas, directions, research objectives, models, techniques, and methods.

Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.

Supervise/guide students on research related work.

Undertake management/administration arising from research.

Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

Close to completing or completed a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent qualifications.

Experience in polysaccharide, polyacrylamide and/or poly(ethylene glycol) based hydrogels.

Experience in design and development of optical bioassays.

Experience in using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometers.

Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.

Experience with data processing, analysis and interpretation.

Ability to keep up to date with new developments in relevant research fields.

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.

Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.

Ability to write and give presentations and communicate complex information clearly.

Ability to install and maintain a broad range of equipment within the group and to train other personnel on their operation.

Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Ruchi Gupta, email: r.gupta.3@bham.ac.uk.