Research Fellow in Bioanalytical Chemistry

Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2027

Closing date: 2nd December 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

We are seeking applications for a research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta's group, and specifically to develop novel analytical methods for measurement of biomarkers in biological fluids such as saliva, urine, serum and blood. The post holder should be able to perform chemical synthesis and characterisation protocols. Successful delivery will have a revolutionary impact on the early detection of diseases such as cancer.

Role Summary

• To develop analytical methods for measurement of biomarkers in biological fluids, and benchmarking against current gold standard methods such as ELISA.
• To perform chemical synthesis and characterisation protocols.
• To support research within Gupta group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports.
• To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Collect, analyse, and interpret research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Contribute to developing ideas, directions, research objectives, models, techniques, and methods.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise/guide students on research related work.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

Person Specification

• Close to completing or completed a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent qualifications.
• Significant experience in using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometers, and microplate readers.
• Experience in handling biological samples and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
• Experience of purification and characterisation (e.g., HPLC, NMR, IR, MS) methods, and formation of materials including polymers and hydrogels without and with dyes/fluorophores/probes.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Experience with data processing, analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in relevant research fields.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to write and give presentations and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to install and maintain a broad range of equipment within the group and to train other personnel on their operation.
  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 Ruchi Gupta, email:

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