Directorate:â€¯ School of Engineering & Physical Sciencesâ€¯

Grade: â€¯Grade 6 (£30,805 - £36,130)

Contract Type:â€¯ Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (3 Months)â€¯

Rewards and Benefits:â€¯ 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 Descriptionâ€¯

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 Responsibilitiesâ€¯

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:â€¯

Design and set up laboratory experiments, including the use of a flow technology system to investigate polymer biodegradation.

Carry out regular maintenance of the equipment essential to the project, such as the size exclusion chromatography instrument and flow chemistry equipment.

Communicate regularly and effectively with the existing research team and industrial partner and prepare a final project report that captures the key project results.

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

A degree or undergraduate expertise in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.

Experience

Experience in the use of flow chemistry system and studying polymer biodegradation

Experience in completing lab health and safety risk and COSHH assessments to a good standard

Experience conducting laboratory experiments in a safe, systematic, and organised way

Experience in performing data interpretation and analysis

Competencies, Skills and Knowledge

Excellent IT skills

Good report-writing skills

Excellent communication skills

Good team player with good interpersonal skills

Desirable:

Qualifications

Postgraduate research experience or qualifications in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline

Experience

Experience running other real time analytical techniques

Experience setting up reactors and running preventative maintenance

Experience troubleshooting common problems encountered running reactions

Competencies, Skills and Knowledge

Experience with a range of data processing and visualisation tools

Experience presenting key results to stakeholders and project partners

Knowledge of health and safety practices that contribute to the safe running of the laboratory and equipment

About Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.â€¯

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.â€¯

How to Applyâ€¯

Applications can â€¯ be submitted until midnight on Tuesday 6th May 2025.

Interviews to commence 1 week after the closing date.

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) a cover letter (max one page) describing your interest and suitability for the post and (2) a CV (max two pages) that captures critical information relevant to this position and your alignment with the Education, Qualifications and Experience criteria.

Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to Dr Marc Little (m.little@hw.ac.uk).

At Heriot-Watt, we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real-world impact, which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Wattâ€¯University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.â€¯ Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Wattâ€¯University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. , part-time working and job share options.

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.

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