Postdoctoral Research Associate in Catalysis and Machine Learning

Two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available for outstanding and ambitious researchers to join Prof. Igor Larrosa's team at the University of Manchester, working on Machine Learning, Catalysis and Organic Chemistry for a period of up to 36 months.

The project, funded by EPSRC, will involve exploring the use of machine learning to develop new tools for the analysis of kinetics and their application to the mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes, with a focus on homogeneous catalytic processes of interest in organic chemistry. This collaborative project with the Bures group (ICIQ) will build on proof-of-principle work recently published in Nature 2023, 613, 689.

Find out more about the Larrosa and Bures groups at:

The successful candidates will have a PhD in chemistry, catalysis, physics or chemical engineering with a proven track record in catalysis, organic, computational chemistry and/or machine learning with experience in computer programming (preferentially python). The positions are full time and available for up to three years, in the first instance. Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Igor Larrosa (View email address on newscientist.com)

The post will be based in the Chemistry Building at the Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, and is available from 1st May 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Applications should include a supporting statement and a CV, as part of the application. Forms and further particulars are available from our website

If you are unable to go online you can request a hard copy of the details from The Directorate of Human Resources, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tel: View phone number on newscientist.com, Email:

The School of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit

We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit.

The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to View email address on newscientist.com .

Any CV's submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Igor Larrosa

Email: View email address on newscientist.com

General enquiries:

Email: View email address on newscientist.com

Technical support:

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.