Salary: £45,585
FTE: 1.0
Term: Fixed Term (36 months)
Closing date: 07/06/2024
A computational chemistry researcher is required to deliver an ambitious research programme to understand reaction mechanisms in homogeneous catalysis by complexes of nickel, generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust for three years. The position is nominally 1 FTE, but it may be possible to offer this on a part-time basis and/or with some component of hybrid working; the position will not be offered on a fully remote basis.
We have studied the reactions of homogeneous nickel(0) complexes with a variety of organic substrates in some detail (Catal. Sci. Technol., 2021, 11, 2980). Nickel(0) can react with organohalides via mechanisms including oxidative addition, halogen atom abstraction, and electron transfer, and it possible that spin crossover plays a role in some cases. The exact mechanism(s) that operate are highly dependent on the nature of the ligand and the substrate in each specific reaction. This project will assess the fundamental features of each system that influence reaction selectivity, with the aim of producing a unified model that can predict the reactivity of any nickel catalyst system. While the research team is primarily focused on laboratory experimental studies, the use of computational chemistry is becoming increasingly important to deliver our research objectives, and you will be the computational chemistry expert within the team. The project will be carried out using the ARCHIE-WeSt High-Performance Computer hosted at the University of Strathclyde (archie-west.ac.uk), which comprises 84 ‘standard’ nodes (40 cores, 192 GB RAM), two ‘bigmem’ nodes (80 cores, 3 TB RAM), and 24 Nvidia A100 GPUs (8 x 40 GB; 16 x 80 GB). High priority access is costed into the project.
You will engage in individual and collaborative research, establishing a distinctive programme of research and disseminating results through regular publications in high impact journals. You will mentor and support junior researchers within the team, including MChem and PhD students carrying out computational chemistry projects. You will contribute to applications to appropriate external bodies for research funding. You will provide direction, support and guidance to team members and you will participate in and develop external networks to foster research collaborations, to inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding. You will develop knowledge exchange activities by, for example, establishing research links with industry, and you will collaborate with colleagues to ensure that research advances inform departmental teaching effort, including contributing to relevant teaching programmes as appropriate. You will carry out Department/School, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions, for example through membership of committees and engage in continuous professional development. It is possible to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice or Researcher Development, at no cost, in parallel with your position.
To be considered for the role, you will be educated to a minimum of PhD level in an appropriate discipline or have significant relevant experience in addition to a relevant degree. You will have sufficient breadth and depth of expertise and experience in computational chemistry as applied to homogeneous catalysis, as well as the fundamental principles of organometallic chemistry and organometallic reaction mechanisms.
You will have significant research experience in computational chemistry applied to homogeneous catalysis and in the practical use of machine learning or other relevant statistical techniques to interrogate large datasets and make predictions. Postdoctoral experience would be a significant advantage. You will have a body of published high quality research demonstrating standards of excellence, and an ability to develop research proposals and to attract funding, as appropriate to the discipline, including experience of contributing to grant applications. You will have an ability to plan and organise research programmes, to ensure successful completion and you will have experience of planning and organising workloads, including the ability to supervise and delegate work. You may have some experience of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels and will have an ability to work within a team environment and to lead teams.
You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences. Whilst not essential for the role, applications are welcomed from candidates with membership of relevant Chartered/professional bodies (including the Higher Education Academy, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and/or the American Chemical Society) and/or a track record in knowledge exchange related activities.
*Whilst a Research Fellow is ideally sought for the position, applications from less-experienced Researchers are welcomed. In such circumstances, the appointment will be made at Research Associate level (RS07 salary scale: £36,024 - £44,263) and duties will be adjusted to reflect the grade of the post.
Please note that any appointment to this position is subject to the approval of the Leverhulme Trust and that a copy of your CV will require to be shared with the Trust before employment can commence.
Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr David Nelson, Reader in Chemistry (david.nelson@strath.ac.uk). Applications cannot be accepted via email and must be submitted via the University of Strathclyde website to be considered.
Formal interviews for this post will be held on Monday, 8 July 2024 between 10 am and 4 pm.