Research Associate in Digital Chemistry and Chemputation

Job Description

Job Purpose

Applications are invited for a position to join the Digital Chemistry and Chemputation team lead by Professor Lee Cronin () in the area of software and database development for chemputation working in a multidisciplinary team. You will have skills (or interest) in some of the following: artificial intelligence, photocatalyst development, chemistry, robotics, High throughput synthesis, enantioselective synthesis, application of THE approaches to methodology development reactor design & development, chemical automation.

You will have a PhD in Chemistry with a strong background or experience of automated high throughput organic synthesis from industry.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform the following activities in conjunction with the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Take a role leading the digital chemistry synthesis team in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
2. Take a role in the development of organic synthetic chemistry for chemputation and database development.
3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
4. Survey the literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable strategy.
5. Take a role and lead as appropriate in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
6. Take a role and lead as appropriate in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (eg. Academic and Industrial Partners).
7. Take a role and lead as appropriate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
8. Help in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
9. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
10. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the PI.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Knowledge/Qualifications Essential:

• A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 PhD in Chemistry / Computing Science plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment with strong experience in the investigation of ruthenium based photocatalystsor equivalent experience acquired in organic synthesis.
• A2 In depth Knowledge of automated and digital approaches to High throughput approaches to organic synthesis methodology development with experience in reactor design and development.
• A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.
• A4 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques, e.g. Opentrons.

Skills Essential:

• C1 Design of synthetic strategies for the automation of high throughput organic synthesis methodology development.
• C2 Research creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
• C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
• C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
• C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
• C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
• C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
• C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.
• C9 Good Team Leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.
• C10 MATLAB or other programming languages (as noted above).

Desirable:

• D1 Exploring chemistry using computer-based approaches.
• D2 Comfortable developing expertise in multiple fields.
• D3 Experience using Amazon Web Services (AWS) products.

Experience Essential:

• E1 Sufficient relevant research experience normally including postgraduate experience or equivalent.
• E2 Experience of scientific writing.
• E3 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E4 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
• E5 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
• E6 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
• E7 Experience in undertaking independent research.
• E8 Experience of computer programming / modelling.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
• F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding for up to 1 year in the first instance.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit:

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook , benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website for more information.

Closing Date: 31 August 2026 at 23:45