Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,024

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 24 months (start date on or after 1st July 2024)

Closing date: 7th May 2024

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

We are seeking applications for a 24-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta’s group, and specifically to develop photodegradable materials and analytical methods for capture and measurement of biomarkers in biological fluids such as saliva. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Drs Melissa Grant and Malgorzata Wiench (both: School of Dentistry). Successful delivery will have revolutionary impact on early detection of diseases such as cancer.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community with over 80 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. With a strong focus on its three main research themes, energy, sustainability and health, and a number of interdisciplinary interest groups, the School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; combined with investment from the University for the new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened September 2018) and Molecular Sciences Research Building (opening in 2023/24), we are entering an exciting period. 

Role Summary

• To undertake research on synthesis and characterisation of photodegradable materials for capture and selective release of biomarkers in biological fluids, development of analytical methods for measurement of biomarkers, and benchmarking against ELISA.
• To support research within Gupta group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports.
• To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Collect, analyse, and interpret research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Contribute to developing ideas, directions, research objectives, models, techniques, and methods.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise/guide students on research related work.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Chemistry, or equivalent qualifications.
• Significant experience in organic synthesis of monomers and crosslinkers with photoremovable protecting groups and dyes/fluorophores/probes.
• Significant experience in purification and characterisation (e.g., HPLC, NMR, IR, MS) methods, and formation of materials including polymers and hydrogels without and with dyes/fluorophores/probes.
• Experience in using electrospinning.
• Experience in using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometers, and microplate readers.
• Experience in handling biological samples and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in relevant research fields.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to write and give presentations and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to install and maintain a broad range of equipment within the group and to train other personnel on their operation.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Ruchi Gupta, email: r.gupta.3@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.