Directorate:  School of Engineering & Physical Sciences 
Grade:  Grade 6 (£30,805 - £36,130)
Contract Type:  Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (3 Months) 
Rewards and Benefits:  33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
Detailed Description 
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic individual to work on the industry-funded project: Biodegradation of BASF Polymers using Continuous Polymer Analysis in Flow.
The successful appointee shall perform proof-of-concept studies using BASF-supplied polymers and catalysts to run experiments on our world-class flow chemistry capabilities. The project will focus on investigating polymer biodegradation in aqueous solutions using size exclusion chromatography in flow. The feasibility of using other analytical capabilities at Heriot-Watt, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, will also be scoped out to provide further analytical data about the degradation of their polymers and the formation of different by-products.
The successful appointee will be a motivated researcher with undergraduate or postgraduate expertise in using flow chemistry to monitor polymer biodegradation. They will be required to work closely with the existing research team and industry partners.
Key Duties and Responsibilities 
We will primarily measure the suitability of applicants for this project based on their chemistry expertise, carrying out an experiment relevant to the project
- 's focus. Specifically, we seek an applicant with expertise in polymer biodegradation and flow chemistry.
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all essential duties and responsibilities.
The Institute of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt
The Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) at Heriot-Watt is a vibrant research environment with a strong track record in materials science and polymer research relevant to this project. Our diverse research activity includes the chemical synthesis of organic and biologically active compounds, inorganic and organometallic compounds, and supramolecular species, as well as the preparation of novel polymeric composite and hybrid materials for technological applications. We study behaviour at interfaces relevant to catalysis and environmental science and develop novel spectroscopic techniques to study these phenomena.
At Heriot-Watt, we operate the Continuum Laboratory, which is dedicated to the exploitation of flow chemistry. Here, we can execute and monitor reactions in flow, including the use of the following monitoring techniques: benchtop NMR spectroscopy, UV-Vis, size exclusion chromatography, and mass spectrometry. We also have the capability for continuous separation of reaction products, completing a total flow toolkit.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
Qualifications
