Last updated: / June 2016

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post title: / Research Fellow in Materials Chemistry
Academic Unit/Service: / Chemistry
Faculty: / Natural & Environmental Sciences
Career pathway: / ERE / Level: / 4
*ERE category: / Research pathway
Posts responsible to: / Professor of Inorganic Chemistry
Posts responsible for: / None
Post base: / Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
Two posts are available to flexibly cover a range of expertise areas required in the Advanced Devices by Electroplating (ADEPT) EPSRC programme Grant: (1) to synthesise mesoporous materials for use as templates for the electrodeposition of nanostructured semiconductors; (2) to examine surface modifications of porous materials to add functionality to semiconductors grown inside them; (3) to carry out detailed characterisation of various materials produced in the programme using a range of lab and synchrotron techniques including X-ray diffraction, grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities / % Time /
1.  / To plan and carry-out a personal area of research in support of Programme Grant objectives. / 70 %
2.  / To perform any other duties required to support the research team as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder. / 10 %
3.  / To report findings in a clear, concise format to the Programme Grant team members. / 10 %
4.  / To carry out occasional undergraduate supervision and teaching under the guidance of a member of departmental academic staff. / 5 %
5.  / To support the Programme Grant’s public engagement and outreach activities conducted under the direction of the Programme Manager. / 5 %
Internal and external relationships /
Performing research under the guidance of Prof. Andrew Hector and the Programme Director / Co-Investigators at Southampton, Nottingham and Warwick.
Collaborative work with the Programme Grant researchers in Southampton (Electrochemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Physics, Electronics & Computer Science) and Warwick (Electron Microscopy).
Engagement with the Programme Manager to facilitate the administration of the Programme Grant.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, knowledge and experience / ·  PhD or equivalent qualification in materials chemistry or another relevant scientific discipline.
·  Materials synthesis/deposition and characterisation experience. / Knowledge and/or research experience in the following areas (the intention is to achieve a balance of skills across the two posts):
·  Production of mesoporous materials or related materials synthesis activity.
·  Handling of air sensitive materials.
·  Modification of the surface chemistry of materials to achieve changes in properties.
·  Thin film or surface characterisation, possibly including XPS.
·  Powder or thin film diffraction.
·  Small angle X-ray scattering.
·  Porosimetry. / ·  Application
·  Interview
·  References
Planning and organising / ·  Ability to plan and prioritize a range of activities to meet strict deadlines and quality standards / ·  Application
·  Interview
·  References
Problem solving and initiative / ·  Ability to work independently and make decisions as appropriate.
·  Ability to develop an understanding of complex problems and to apply in-depth knowledge to address them
·  Ability to support the experimental verification of original techniques/methods / ·  Application
·  Interview
·  References
Management and teamwork / ·  Ability to prioritize personal activities within a team environment.
·  Evidence of ability to support the research activities of others within a large, diverse, multidisciplinary scientific team. / ·  Application
·  Interview
Communicating and influencing / ·  Experience of communicating complex data in clear and understandable verbal and written formats / ·  Experience of communicating data to individuals from different scientific disciplines.
·  Previous experience of assembling data for publication and contributing to the writing of published research papers.
·  Experience of supporting public engagement and outreach activities. / ·  Application
·  Interview
·  References
Other skills and behaviours / ·  Understanding of relevant health and safety issues.
·  Positive attitude to colleagues and students. / ·  Application
·  Interview
·  References
Special requirements / ·  Willingness to undertake occasional travel and overnight stays for team meetings, to visit partner institutions, to attend conferences and to undertake experiments at central facilities. / ·  Interview

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

Is this an office-based post?

☐ Yes / If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No / If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.

## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES / Occasionally
(<30% of time) / Frequently
(30-60% of time) / Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace) / X
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below: / X
Frequent hand washing / X
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods / X
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting) / X
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height / X
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public / X
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties / X

Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)4