Research Fellow in Electron Diffraction

Full Time Fixed Term for 3 years

We are seeking an electron diffractionist with a MOF/materials science background to drive the EPSRC-funded ‘Rejuvenating the Crystal Sponge’ project. You will have the unique opportunity to extensively use one of the world’s first dedicated electron diffractometers for structural solution, based in the newly established National Electron Diffraction Facility (NEDF, https://www.ncs.ac.uk/nedf/). Your skills will be crucial in developing new methods at this facility and you will be working alongside the internationally renowned National Crystallography Service (NCS, (https://www.ncs.ac.uk/) at the University of Southampton. The project will develop the application of electron diffraction to transform the Crystal Sponge technique and will work in close collaboration with MOF scientists at the University of Glasgow.

The position will be a fixed-term Post-Doctoral Research Assistant contract until January 2028. Applicants should have knowledge of electron diffraction and experience of single crystal X-ray diffraction for structural solution is an advantage, but not essential. There will be interaction with the instrument manufacturer and chemical industries seeking to exploit the new technique. Mentored by Professor Simon Coles, you will work alongside the experienced, established NCS/NEDF team. The post will involve Crystallisation, Crystal Sponge and Electron Diffraction technique development and will provide the opportunity to work with top researchers on a range of projects. 

As a leading facility for single crystal diffraction, the NCS and NEDF are amongst the highest throughput facilities globally and house some of the most advanced X-ray and electron diffraction equipment in the world. This project aims to develop a comprehensive advanced crystallisation service to complement these facilities and give UK researchers access to crystallographic results that they couldn’t achieve with conventional approaches anywhere else. 

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (Athena SWAN Silver award since 2014). We particularly encourage women, LGBT and disabled applicants to apply and consider applicants wishing to work flexibly and applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities.

Further information:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page 

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. We are committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university having recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward. Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.

For further information, please contact s.j.coles@soton.ac.uk

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Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

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