Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Research Associate
Chemistry
Grade:
Location:
Research Grade 7
Claverton Down Campus
Job purpose
This full-time fixed-term position is to develop nanoporous coatings for the liners of
high pressure hydrogen storage tanks. The work will involve the preparation of a
range of porous materials including polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) and
metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and investigation of their applicability as
coatings onto composites. The successful candidate will provide research
expertise in the area of the project and will work across disciplines as part of team
with partners from the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Mechanical
Engineering at Bath.
Source and nature of management provided
Line management provided by Dr Andrew Burrows (Reader, Department of
Chemistry).
Co-supervision and support provided by project team consisting of Dr Tim Mays
(Chemical Engineering), Professor Chris Bowen, (Mechanical Engineering) and Dr
Alicia Sim (Mechanical Engineering).
Staff management responsibility
None, although day to day supervision of other staff e.g. technical staff or
supervision of doctoral or undergraduate students may be required.
Career and Professional Development Activities
The successful applicant will be given an annual SDPR by their immediate line
manager.
From time to time you may be asked to assist in the facilitation of CPD
activities. This will form part of your substantive role and you will not receive
additional payment for these activities.
Special conditions
Compliance with all relevant Codes of Practice and regulations for the University
and relevant discipline.
Page 1
Main duties and responsibilities
1
To assist the Research Supervisors in the development of a research
programme involving the development of nanoporous materials for highpressure hydrogen storage tanks.
2
To carry out a programme of research involving the following:
 The preparation and characterisation of new and previously reported
polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) and investigation of their
hydrogen adsorption properties.
 The preparation and characterisation of new and previously reported
metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and investigation of their hydrogen
adsorption properties.
 Scaling up the syntheses of the materials to produce sufficient
quantities for our collaborators.
 The formulation of the new materials as coatings onto composites for
use in hydrogen storage tank liners.
3
To take the lead in the experimental design and execution of the project. To
collect and analyse data related to the project using qualitative and
quantitative techniques.
4
To interact proactively with collaborating groups in Chemical Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering to help achieve the goals of the project.
5
To disseminate the results of the project through writing reports and research
papers and giving conference presentations as appropriate.
6
To participate regularly in group meetings and prepare and deliver
presentations to project team, internal and external stakeholders or funders.
7
To assist with the supervision of graduate students and undergraduate project
students and the assessment of student knowledge.
8
To continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism to
inform research activity.
9
To identify sources of funding and provide assistance with preparing bids to
funding bodies contribute to securing of funds for research.
10 To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with
assistance of a mentor if required.
11 To disseminate knowledge of research advances to inform departmental
teaching effort.
12 To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as requested by the
Research Supervisors.
Page 2
Appendix B
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications
PhD in Chemistry or a related discipline.
Desirable

Experience/Knowledge
Post-doctoral experience

Organic synthesis

Inorganic synthesis

Synthesis and characterisation of porous
materials

Porous materials/thin film characterisation

Awareness of latest developments in the field
of research and in research design

Potential to publish in high quality, peer
reviewed journals.

Skills
Ability to conduct individual research work,
and organise and prioritise own workload.

Ability to prepare, purify and characterise
organic compounds.

Ability to prepare and characterise inorganic
compounds using a range of techniques.


Ability to prepare and characterise porous
materials
Ability to write research reports and to
effectively disseminate outcomes

Excellent oral, interpersonal and written
communication skills

Proficiency in IT skills

Human Resources
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Appendix B
Attributes
Innovation and developing creative solutions

Enthusiasm and self-motivation.

Organisation – able to plan and deliver work to
meet required deadlines

Tenacity – working to achieve own and team
objectives and to overcome obstacles

Ability to work effectively in a team and to
collaborate with PDRAs and academics from
other departments.

Human Resources
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09/02/2016