Research Fellow in Computational Materials Science - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 103256 - Grade 7
Job Details
Full Job Description
Position Details
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974
Grade 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2026
Closing date: 6th March 2024
Background
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.
A full-time
2-year postdoctoral position is available in the Computational Carbon
Chemistry group of Prof. Ganna (Anya) Gryn’ova to work on the ERC
Starting Grant “PATTERNCHEM: Shape and Topology as Descriptors of
Chemical and Physical Properties in Functional Organic Materials”.
Tentative starting date for this position is April 2024
(negotiable).
Functional, topologically complex organic molecules
are rising stars in modern materials science due to their
biocompatibility, structural variability, and wealth of
physico-chemical properties. In PATTERNCHEM, several families of
functional organic materials – graphenes, covalent-organic frameworks,
and hyperbranched polymers – are investigated through a combination of
high-level quantum chemistry, multiscale materials simulations, and
interpretable machine learning. The ultimate goal of PATTERNCHEM is to
build an all-encompassing, adaptable framework for modelling
interactions of multifaceted functional organic materials with their
molecular targets, filling the missing links with newly devised
structural fingerprints and energetic descriptors.
Role Summary
This Research Fellow position entails conducting original research in the area of functional organic materials using diverse computational chemistry, physics, and materials science tools. The Candidate is expected to prepare research outputs for publication in peer-reviewed journals, manage the generated data, train junior group members, and contribute to the daily work within the research group.
Main Duties
- Perform high-level, high-throughput, and multiscale simulations of functional organic materials, including graphene derivatives, covalent organic frameworks, and hyperbranched polymers;
- Implement these methods into automated computational workflows;
- Generate databases of structures and computed properties of the functional organic materials;
- Design, perform, and critically interpret computational studies that achieve the project goals in a way that is consistent with the requirements for publication of high quality research;
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding, and contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods;
- Collect, analyse, interpret, and store research data as required for publication and open-data requirements in line with the funders expectations;
- Prepare draft academic publications, or parts thereof, and contribute to other writing that can include bids for research funding, review articles, and public engagement literature;
- Present and disseminate research outputs effectively in internal reports, presentations (group meetings internal seminars, conferences), posters, and other media;
- Work effectively with potential collaborators;
- Supervise students on research related to the project and provide guidance to PhD and Master’s students;
- Work in accordance with relevant safety policies and operating procedures and undertake training as required;
- Support the day-to-day running of the research group;
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- Candidates must have a PhD (or one near to completion) in Chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related discipline
- Expertise in theoretical/computational chemistry/materials science and numerical simulations is essential.
- Expertise in high-throughput and multiscale simulations, automated computational workflows, data science, as well as programming are desirable.
- Ability to plan and organise the research programme.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
- Work effectively in a research team, including collaborative research.
- 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 Prof. Ganna (Anya) Gryn’ova, email:
View our staff values and behaviours here
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 one of our values . You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .