Post Doctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry (SCHEMA)

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry to work with Professor Matthew Davidson, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, for a period of up to 2 years. The post is supported by the EPSRC through the Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub (SCHEMA, www.schemahub.ac.uk) which aims to deliver a step change in sustainable chemical and polymer manufacturing in the UK.

The project focusses on sustainable catalysis for the preparation of new plastics based on ring-opening polymerization, ring-expansion polymerization and polycondensation of renewable monomers. Highly selective and robust catalysts will be designed and investigated to deliver controlled polymer architectures resulting in materials with desired properties for commodity and high value applications.

You will join a dynamic team of other experts working in polymerization catalysis and polymer chemistry at Bath and, as a member of the SCHEMA Hub, you will benefit from collaborations across UK universities and with companies. This will include regular research symposia, training events and mentoring organised by the SCHEMA Hub.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

Applicants should have a PhD in Polymer Chemistry with experience of polymerization catalysis prior to taking up the post. They should have expertise in using anaerobic techniques, including Schlenk lines and glove boxes, to make catalysts and polymers. Experience of catalyst and polymer characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, GPC, DSC, TGA and tensile mechanical measurements is required.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups.

Benefits include: generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days; generous employer contributory pension schemes; cycle to work scheme; electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme; staff discount at Team Bath gym; staff benefits including discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses; a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and LinkedIn Learning; local discounts including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath; a family-friendly workplace; relocation allowance; visa reimbursement and interest-free loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses; employee assistance services through Health Assured including access to the Wisdom app.

The university is committed to creating a health-supporting working environment and offers staff support groups and networks, a network of Staff Wellbeing Champions, and a suite of tools, resources and frameworks to support wellbeing.