Job Description & Person
Specification
Last updated:
16th December 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow – Organic Synthesis in Flow Electrochemical Reactors
Academic Unit/Service:
Chemistry
Faculty:
FNES
Career pathway:
ERE
*ERE category:
Research pathway
Posts responsible to:
Professor Richard C D Brown
Level:
4
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Non Office-based
Job purpose
• To investigate and optimise oxidative electrochemical transformations in flow, targeting reactions that are
of general utility in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates
• To investigate the scale up of selected transformations in flow electrolysis cells developed in Southampton,
to enable synthesis of multigram quantities of pharmaceutical intermediates
• To work with synthetic organic chemists, electrochemists and the industrial collaborator, providing regular
reports on progress at meetings and through reports
• To work with the collaborator and assist with the transfer of flow electrochemical synthesis technology to
industrial laboratories
• To contribute towards the preparation of material for publications and conference presentations
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Perform and optimise flow electrosynthesis experiments as outlined in the research
proposal, including purification and full characterisation of products to a standard
appropriate for publication.
60 %
2.
Investigate scale up of selected reactions in flow electrochemical reactors.
15 %
3.
Communication of results to project principle investigator. Attend regular project team
meetings with the industrial collaborator to present results, participate in discussion and
evaluation of results and project planning with other team members. Prepare reports on
research progress, present results at conferences, and contribute to authorship of work to
be submitted to international journals.
15 %
4.
Assist in supervision and education of postgraduate and undergraduate students as
appropriate and requested
5%
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
5.
5%
Contribute to regular review of electrosynthesis literature and identification of industrially
relevant processes for potential study.
Internal and external relationships
Work as part of chemistry team on the project in Southampton reporting directly to the investigators on the
project. The principle investigator (Professor Brown) will supervise individual components as appropriate, with
contributions from the co-investigator (Professor Pletcher), and industry collaborator.
The project requires good working relationships with the external collaborator, and will require regular
reports and meetings (video / teleconference) with the external collaborator.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications, • Strong, first degree in chemistry
knowledge and (e.g. BSc or Masters level)
experience
• PhD in synthetic organic
chemistry, or PhD to be awarded in
the near future
• Excellent knowledge of modern
synthetic methods
• Excellent working knowledge of
modern spectroscopy and analytical
techniques
• Understanding of safe laboratory
working
Planning and
organising
Desirable
Previous experience or knowledge
of the following areas could be
advantageous:
• Performing synthetic reactions in
flow
How to be
assessed
Application
form, cv,
interview and
letters of
recommendation
• Electrosynthesis
• Use of analytical instrumentation
such as HPLC
• Working with industrial
collaborators
• Knowledge of COSHH assessment
• Practised in planning of and
organising experimental work to
achieve project objectives, and to
prioritise work for completion within
the given timescale
• Plan work as part of a team,
including logistics of some
collaborative experimental work
Problem
solving and
initiative
• Ability to apply chemical
knowledge and understanding to
optimisation of synthetic
methodology
• Ability to apply technological
solutions to reaction monitoring,
optimisation and purification
• Ability to devise, modify and
optimise synthetic routes to target
molecules
Management
and teamwork
• Excellent team working skills
• Role model for PGs and UGs in
• Ability to manage project elements lab
such as budget and coordination of
• Proactive in safety & lab
regular meetings
organisation
Communicating • Excellent verbal and written
and influencing communication skills and the ability
to write clearly and succinctly for
publication and reports for
collaborator
Other skills and • Independent working and decision
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behaviours
making when appropriate
Special
requirements
• Be able to work on a collaborative
program with a desire to understand
challenges and requirements of
synthesis in an industrial
environment
• Ability to work in industrial
partners lab for short periods if
required
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
N/A
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
X
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
N/A
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
N/A
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
X
Frequent hand washing
X
Ionising radiation
N/A
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
N/A
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
N/A
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
N/A
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
N/A
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
X
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
N/A
Repetitive pulling/pushing
N/A
Repetitive lifting
N/A
Standing for prolonged periods
X
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
N/A
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
X
Gross motor grips
N/A
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
N/A
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
X
Lone working
N/A
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
N/A
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