Research Assistant/Associate (Chemistry)

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary
Research Assistant: £32,296 to £33,882 per annum.
Research Associate: £34,866 to £45,163 per annum.

The Role
Applications are invited for a Research Associate to work in the group of Dr Roly Armstrong in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University on a project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Working as part of a team of chemists in the Armstrong group, situated in state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories in the Bedson building at Newcastle University on a project funded by EPSRC on the stereoselective synthesis of medicinally relevant C–N atropisomeric molecules.

You should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, ideally with a focus on developing new methodology. You will be expected to present their work through oral presentations, write internal reports, and contribute to draft publications, requiring strong communication skills. In addition to conducting your research, you will take on some responsibility for training and supervising postgraduate and undergraduate research students, as well as assisting with the day-to-day management of the laboratory.

The project involves the development of new synthetic methodology for the stereocontrolled synthesis of biologically relevant C–N atropisomeric amides. Amides are widespread in drug discovery and pharmaceuticals, and the design and application of new axially chiral analogues is a current hot topic in organic chemistry. This project will build upon our recent studies in this area (see here for more details) to develop efficient new synthetic methodology to prepare such molecules. In particular, the focus will be upon developing new catalytic approaches for the synthesis of atropisomeric analogues of peptides (arguably the most important nitrogen-containing motif in the natural world) employing modern catalytic methods to control their stereochemistry.

The School of Natural and Environmental Science at Newcastle University is a world-leading centre of research excellence, delivering impact to society from our local area to all corners of the planet. Our school provides a distinctive breadth of subjects and specialisms and our ground-breaking research has led to a wide range of exciting discoveries from new treatments for ovarian cancer to the development of pest-resistant crops.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

For more information about research within the School of Natural and Environmental Science at Newcastle University, please see here.

For more information on Newcastle University’s Chemistry discipline, please see here.

We are looking for candidates who can commence on 1st Jan 2025.

To apply, please provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Roly Armstrong at the following email address: roly.armstrong@newcastle.ac.uk.

The role is fixed-term for 36 months.

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