Research Associate in Electron Microscopy of Catalytic Materials

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work on a new international research programme. The 4 year Centre-to-Centre project (New catalysts for acetylene processes enabling a sustainable future), funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is led by Cardiff and is collaboration with the Catalysis Hub in Harwell, Max Planck Institute für Kohlenforschung (KOFO) in Mulheim, the Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max Planck Society (FHI) in Berlin, and the Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica (ITQ) in Valencia, as well as several partners from Industry.

The researcher will lead the characterization of metal catalysts using the aberration-corrected Spectra 200 (S)TEM located in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI). They will perform atomic-resolution imaging of nanoparticles and single-atom catalysts to develop understanding of the effects of ligands on catalyst structure. They will develop methodology for in-situ testing of catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation, in addition to ex-situ testing of catalysts before and after reaction.

This position is part of a wider project to develop new catalysts for acetylene-based chemistry. As such, the researcher will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers synthesizing and testing catalysts, in addition to others using X-ray spectroscopic methods. The position will involve collaborative visits to X-ray synchrotrons and to partners at Max Planck Institutes in Germany.

Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in chemistry, materials science, physics or have relevant industrial experience.

Dr Thomas Slater https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/slatert2.

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact Dr Thomas Slater (SlaterT2@cardiff.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 29208 79966).

For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact Ms Caroline Pasmore (Chemy-HR@cardiff.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4073)

This position is full-time (35 hours per week) and is available from 1st August 2025 for 12 months.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.

Salary: £40,247- £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate that an appointment be made above £40,247 per annum (Grade 6.32).

Closing date: Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Advert information