Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

A post-doctoral research assistant/associate position is available at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, in the Computational Modelling Group under the supervision of Prof. Markus Kraft.

The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team developing methods for the digital discovery of reticular materials. To date, the team has mined the literature to create a database of materials, developed data structures to describe the Lego-like nature of the materials, developed algorithms that exploit the data structures to predict the existence of new materials, calculated the properties of known and predicted materials, and used large language models to extract information from the literature about synthesis processes, and predict the process steps required to synthesise new materials. The vision of the team is to automate the discovery and synthesis of materials with properties that are tuned for specific applications.

The work forms part of The World Avatar (TWA) project, a disruptive approach pioneered by Prof. Kraft to leverage knowledge-based technology to share data and create interoperability across different technical and social domains. Further information is available at https://como.ceb.cam.ac.uk/research/twa/

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level.  Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Applicants must have:

• A Master's or PhD degree or equivalent experience in a relevant science or engineering discipline (essential).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (essential).
• An interdisciplinary and collaborative research approach (essential).
• The ability to work as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team (essential)
• A developing bibliography of publications in a relevant research area (desirable).
• Experience in quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics or other aspects of computational chemistry (desirable).
• Experience in other areas of science relevant to the vision described above (desirable).
• Experience in software engineering using Java, JavaScript, Python or other languages (desirable).

Further information about the Computational Modelling Group can be found at https://como.ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months in the first instance.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to:

Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 30th November 2024.

Please quote reference NQ43819 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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