Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Vacancy Number: 036111EB
Job Description
School/Department:
Chemistry
Post Title:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry
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Posts Responsible to (and Level):
Professor G Reid
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
Job Purpose:
To undertake research on the synthesis, purification and spectroscopic and structural characterisation of
electrolyte salts and metal complexes suitable for use in supercritical fluid electrodeposition; to liaise
closely with the other members of the synthesis team for this project and work pro-actively with other
researchers working within the project.
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)




Synthesis, purification and spectroscopic and structural characterisation of
compounds (reagents and electrolytes) to be used for supercritical fluid
electrodeposition, including transition metal and rare earth compounds, and
including Iterative improvement of compound characteristics based upon
feedback from the other parts of the research team.
Where necessary, and in collaboration with other team members, to assist in the
characterisation of the electrodeposited materials. To maintain data records,
prepare progress reports and draft manuscripts concerning the results of the
research project; to assist with organisation of project meetings, etc.
To contribute to the teaching within the school, e.g. through workshops,
tutorials, supervisions; development of activities and materials to promote the
science to members of the public and school students, e.g. through open days,
science days, etc.
Any other duties that fall within the scope of the post as allocated by the line
manager following consultation with the postholder.
1
% Time
60
20
10
10
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)

Close collaboration with Dr W Zhang on the synthesis, characterisation and study of reagents
for use in the electrodeposition work. With the team of applicants (Profs. G Reid, P Bartlett, Drs
A Hector and DC Smith external collaborators and Project Manager) concerning project
planning and delivery of targets.
Special Requirements:
Flexibility to carry out experiments at remote sites (e.g at synchrotrons or collaborating University
Departments).
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
Undergraduate degree in chemistry (or related) at
2:1 class or better; and a PhD in molecular
synthetic inorganic chemistry or similar, either
awarded or pending.
X
CV, references
Specific knowledge of organometallic or d-, p-, fblock coordination chemistry.
X
CV, references,
interview
Experience
in
materials
characterisation
techniques (e.g. powder XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS).
X
CV, references,
interview
A high level of experience and experimental skills
in
the
synthesis
and
purification
of
organometallic or transition metal coordination
compounds.
X
CV, references,
interview
A high level experience in the acquisition and
interpretation of spectroscopic (e.g. IR/Raman,
UV-vis, multinuclear NMR) and structural (single
crystal X-ray diffraction) characterisation of
organometallic or coordination compounds.
X
CV, references,
interview
Experienced in the safe handling of highly
reactive and/or toxic materials. Experience of
inert atmosphere techniques.
X
CV, references,
interview
X
CV, references,
interview
Planning and Organising:
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to
meet strict deadlines and to work effectively
under pressure both as an individual and within a
team.
2
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Strong skills in the rational interpretation of
experimental
data
associated
with
the
characterisation of inorganic compounds.
X
CV, references,
interview
Able to work proactively with colleagues to
achieve the agreed research target.
X
References,
interview
Excellent skills
management.
and
X
References,
interview
English
X
CV, interview
X
Interview
Management and Teamwork:
in
data
organisation
Communicating and Influencing:
Excellent
written
and
communication skills.
spoken
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Special Requirements:
Experience of implementation of safe laboratory
working practices.
3
Further Details
Background to Post
We are looking to appoint a number of exceptional postdoctoral and doctoral researchers and a
technology transfer specialist to join our interdisciplinary team developing a disruptive deposition
methodology, supercritical fluid electrodeposition, and studying the unique nanomaterials which it
can produce. Supercritical fluids offer a unique combination of advantages for electrodeposition;
large electrochemical windows allowing the deposition of highly reactive materials, e.g. Si, the ability
to penetrate nanometre scale pores, high mass transport, high deposition temperatures and pressure
tuneable properties. Our team were the first to develop a general method for electrodepositing from
a supercritical fluid and we have demonstrated that supercritical fluids can be used to deposit into
3nm diameter pores to form continuous wires and optoelectronic quality II-IV semiconductors. This
research has led to the award of a flagship Program Grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom which provides flexible funding [£5M] over five years
to pursue this breakthrough in a number of different fields including electrodeposition of crystalline
Si and the production of extreme nanomaterials with crystal structures which do not exist as bulk
crystals. The research project is of considerable interest to a number of high tech industries and we
will be appointing a technology transfer specialist to manage these interactions and maximise the
impact of the research.
We are looking for postdoctoral researchers who are experts in their own fields and excited by the
prospect of working in an interdisciplinary environment. They will be expected to conduct their own
program of research and contribute their expertise to other research projects. Due to the
interdisciplinary nature of the research they will need good listening and communication skills. The
form of the program grant offers particular advantages for postdoctoral researchers. These include
the ability to propose research projects and take a leadership role, with associated control of their
own budget, considerable funds for travel and staff development, and the fact that the success of the
grant will be judged by EPSRC on their career prospects. There will be considerable opportunities for
interested researchers to work closely with industry and possibly to be involved in exploiting the
results of the research by transferring to existing companies or spin-outs.
In addition we are looking we have nine PhD studentships for researchers to work on various aspects
of the project including the physics of nanomaterials, synthesis of reagents and novel electrolyte
salts, supercritical chemistry and electrochemistry, high resolution electron microscopy and
nanotemplate fabrication. This project will provide an ideal training in both a specific subject related
discipline, the broader field of nanomaterials and experience of working in a large interdisciplinary
team.
In the first instance we are looking to appoint four postdoctoral researchers and the Technology
Transfer Specialist, to join our existing team of three postdoctoral researchers and within the next
two years a further two postdoctoral researchers as detailed below. PhD studentship applications can
be made at any time.
The successful candidates will be part of a large interdisciplinary team. This team is led by Prof. P.
Bartlett, Budget Holder and Project leader, who is an internationally recognised electrochemist with
considerable management experience, including leading the School of Chemistry at the University of
Southampton, and co-founder and director of Nanotecture, a spin-out which has generated £10M of
venture capital funding and currently employs 10 people. The other investigators include Dr. D.C
Smith (Deputy Project Leader), Prof. G. Reid, Prof. W. Levason, Dr. A.L. Hector at the University of
Southampton, Prof M. George at the University of Nottingham, and Dr. J. Sloan at the University of
Warwick.
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Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU (if ticked, no
further information needs to be supplied)
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
X
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
O*
F
C
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids
##
Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
##
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify ………………………………………………………….
##
X
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation.
X
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
##
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
##
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
##
Vibrating tools ( e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
##
Physical Abilities
Load manual handling.
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing
Repetitive Lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
X
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting)
X
Gross motor grips
X
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
X
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
X
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
X
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
X
Lone working
Shift work/night work/on call duties
##
X
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly (more than
2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for this position.
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