Postdoctoral Research Associate

The University of Manchester - Science and Engineering

Placed On: 20th March 2026

Closes: 24th April 2026

Job Ref: SAE-031024

Job reference: SAE-031024
Salary: £37,694-£46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Hours per week: 1 FTE
Closing date: 24/04/2026
Contract duration: 36 months

Background

An EPSRC-sponsored Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available for an outstanding and ambitious synthetic inorganic chemist to undertake research in the field of low oxidation state rare earth chemistry. This post is part of the project “Interdisciplinary studies of low oxidation state rare earth elements,” supervised by Profs. David Mills, Richard Winpenny, Eric McInnes, David Collison and Drs Alice Bowen, Michael Baker and Floriana Tuna at The University of Manchester. The project will involve close collaboration with our project partner Prof W. J. Evans at the Edelman Quantum Institute, University of California Irvine (USA), and will offer opportunities for secondment to those laboratories. The successful candidate will synthesise various series of low valent rare earth complexes with different families of ligands, with the aim of understanding the relationship between molecular structures and their unusual physical properties. The latter will involve close collaboration with a second PDRA undertaking physical and computational studies.

For recent publications relevant to the project see: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 27993; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 15000; Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 3330; Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 3003.

Overall purpose of the job

The role holder is expected to synthesise and characterise a series of rare earth complexes and their precursors to a standard suitable for publication and to supervise other researchers in the laboratory. Candidates should have or expect to obtain a PhD or equivalent qualification in synthetic inorganic chemistry or a closely related field. They should have experience of handling highly air-sensitive compounds, with an excellent knowledge of Schlenk line and glove box techniques. Experience of rare earth chemistry, characterisation of paramagnetic complexes, and being adept at a variety of characterisation techniques and calculations, are all highly desirable. The successful candidate will be a highly capable, motivated and independent researcher who is able to manage a group of PhD and undergraduate students working on a variety of synthetic inorganic chemistry projects. You will be part of a larger research team working in synthesis, measurements and calculations to determine the electronic structures of predominantly paramagnetic complexes. You will be expected to take a leading role in the research group including laboratory management, organising group meetings and presenting findings at international conferences.

The Department of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School of Natural Sciences holds a Silver Award, which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will always be made on merit.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. David Mills; Prof. Richard Winpenny; Prof. Eric McInnes

Email: david.mills@manchester.ac.uk; richard.winpenny@manchester.ac.uk; eric.mcinnes@manchester.ac.uk

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more