Research Fellow

**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 £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closing date: 20th January 2025

**Background**

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 100 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential. With a strong focus on our four Research Themes of Energy, Sustainability, Environment and Health, and a number of interdisciplinary Interest Groups serving as testbeds to explore new and emerging areas of interest, we are a dynamic place to work. We have ambitious plans to expand our research activity and are in an exciting period of growth: major investment from the University will deliver a state-of-the-art research building (opening in 2023/24), and new multi-million-pound high-performance computing facilities, which will ensure UK-leading compute capability. These investments build on a major recent expansion of our academic staff and investment in our teaching and learning provision, with our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, which opened September 2018, already revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry.

**Summary of Role**

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work in the area of cytocompatible polymer synthesis. The aim of the project is to develop polymeric coatings for mammalian cells to enhance cell functions and facilitate cell-cell interactions. The project will be hosted in the Arno lab, in the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham and is part of an EPSRC funded project. However, there will be the opportunity to visit collaborators in industry and abroad.

The postholder will be responsible for all aspects of the project which will include synthesis, data interpretation, cell culture handling and monitoring of cell behaviour through live cell assays. Training will be provided in all of the component techniques but demonstrable experience in a number of the aspects is required. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the project it presents an outstanding opportunity to learn more about biomaterials and cell engineering.

The role will also offer the opportunity to contribute to the development of research strategies within the group as well as co-supervise master students. Additionally, you will be expected to contribute towards the scientific health of the school of chemistry through outreach and teaching activities and should therefore possess good skills and ideally experience in these areas.
- To undertake research into the development of polymeric cell coatings and to characterise the resultant materials under the supervision of Dr Maria Chiara Arno
- To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the project as requested; attend regular project meetings; give regular presentations to the group; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals
- To play an active role within the research group, participating in all group meetings and activities. You may supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment
- To participate in the collaborative meetings and work with the project collaborators

**Main Duties/Responsibilities**

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Perform research and collect data in the specified area to a high level of competency and quality
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results generated from all aspects of the project
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to support staff and students in the group
- Disseminate research through conferences, departmental seminars, outreach activities, etc.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Contribute to developing new ideas, directions, techniques and methods in order to advance the project and enhance its quality
- Maintain a high level of knowledge of the immediate and surrounding literature

**Person Specification**
- First degree in area of specialism **and**normally a higher degree (PhD or one near to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
- Excellent research profile in the area o