Postdoctoral Research Associate in Organic Chemistry

University of Oxford - Department of Chemistry

Oxford, United Kingdom

GBP 39,424 - GBP 47,779 per year

The role

This project will explore a new and general approach, mediated by visible light, for the cross-coupling of alcohols to a range of coupling partners for general carbon-carbon bond formation.

The work will consist of reaction discovery, methodology development and target synthesis and will require a strong element of creativity and imagination for all aspects of the project.

You will join a vibrant team of researchers in the Dixon group, based in the Chemistry Research Laboratory in Oxford. Research in the Dixon lab is centred on the development of new, broadly useful, synthetic methodologies and their application to the synthesis of molecules of importance in nature, biology, medicine and materials science. Dixon group research is broad in nature and spans curiosity-driven to target-driven research themes.

Responsibilities

• Discover, develop and apply new photochemical coupling reactions of alcohols;
• Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines;
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols;
• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate;
• Contribute ideas for new research projects;
• Develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers;
• Undertake comprehensive and systematic literature reviews and write up the results for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters;
• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment;
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques;
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone;
• Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups;
• Actively participate in journal club meetings;
• PDRAs may be required to teach, this may include lecturing, small-group teaching, and tutoring of undergraduates and graduate students.

Selection criteria

Essential selection criteria

• Hold a PhD in Organic Chemistry or a related area (or be close to completion) prior to taking up the appointment), and be able to demonstrate understanding and success in this relevant research area (PhD or postdoctoral work), e.g. as judged by publications in high quality peer reviewed journals;
• Have extensive technical skill and experience in synthetic organic chemistry, on large and small scale, and over a breadth of experimental techniques and methods;
• Have a broad familiarity with the wider synthetic chemistry literature, as well as excellent ability at database searching;
• Be highly skilled in analytical chemistry methods (NMR, HPLC, MS);
• Be able to demonstrate competence and success in the thesis research area (and postdoctoral work if appropriate), e.g. as judged by publications (or papers in press) in high quality peer reviewed journals. Evidence will be sought of a deep understanding of the applicant's previous fields of research and evidence of independent intellectual and practical contributions to previous research projects, as indicators that such attributes can be brought to bear on the present project;
• Be viewed as a motivated, enthusiastic, organised self-starter; one who can work with a minimum of supervision but at the same time extract the benefits of an excellent research environment;
• Have an excellent general knowledge of related areas through reading of the literature, online database searching, and attendance at seminars and conferences;
• Be willing to learn new techniques and apply them in an interdisciplinary research environment. Be willing to participate in group journal clubs and workshops as a means to continuously improve technical and theoretical knowledge;
• Have experience in project direction, contributing to the progress of other group members, laboratory management and group motivation;
• Have excellent communication and presentation skills (oral and written English);
• Demonstrate project innovation/problem solving ability;
• Be able to keep detailed laboratory records and report on progress at regular intervals. Show an ability to work supportively in a laboratory environment, and to supervise and educate junior co-workers and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information, skills and reagents.

Desirable selection criteria

• Have experience in the discovery and development of new methodologies for organic synthesis;
• Have experience in photoredox chemistry.