Research Assistant / Associate in Advanced Spectroscopy for Sustainable Chemicals

Salary:

Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum

Research Associate: £36,636 to £37,694 per annum 

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 13 September 2026

The Role 

We are excited to launch this new opportunity for a Research Assistant or Associate Advanced Spectroscopy for Sustainable Chemicals to join us in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.  This role is part of the national Great British Chemicals consortium and focuses on developing The Analytical Toolbox for benign-by-design alternatives to enable more sustainable, low‑carbon and circular approaches to chemical manufacturing. You will develop and use a GB Chemicals analytical suite to enhance the understanding of (1) catalysis for upgrading fossil-free feedstocks; (2) chemical degradation products and their environmental implications. Both are linked by a need to understand the reaction mechanisms using in-situ and operando spectroscopy. The post offers excellent opportunities for publications, collaboration and professional development, with strong mentoring and access to state of the art facilities in the Energy Materials Laboratory and the Newcastle University Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and Microscopy Facility.

The Great British Chemicals programme is a flagship investment funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). We will make, collate and translate knowledge from research on defossilising the chemicals value chain across technologies, policy, energy and industrial systems, to deliver impact in partnership with industry, civic bodies, national government and the third sector ensuring a strong economy, and an improved environment, which is fair, and creates inclusive opportunities. The scheme will support the transition of UK industrial manufacturing processes and operations to net zero and drive a sustainable industrial future. This position is a crucial step for early-career researchers aiming for careers in academia or industry, providing extensive experience in a high-demand, impactful field.

We are particularly keen to hear from those with a passion for collaboration and the ability to interact and engage with a diverse network of specialists in industry and academia.   We are looking for candidates who have experience in operando and in-situ spectroscopy, and the design of bespoke reaction vessels, cells, or fixtures and experiments to undertake spectroscopy in unusual or new environments.

This is a 2 year fixed term role. We would be happy to consider flexible or part time working. There is an expectation that the majority of the work would be laboratory based. 

We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.

Mentoring and career development planning with the PI and access to institutional training will be provided. Opportunities to develop advanced skills in automation, quantitative analysis and scientific writing through our “People” theme. Conference attendance and networking within the national consortium of 10 universities, subject to project needs and budget.

As an EPSRC/NERC funded role, the successful applicant may be eligible for the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa. We can provide an interest free loan scheme to support applicants who need to apply for a visa. 

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) is an interdisciplinary environment with strong research support and state‑of‑the‑art facilities. SNES holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, recognising our commitment to advancing gender equality. We welcome applications from all members of our community and particularly encourage those from under‑represented groups.

You will be reporting to the project PI, Professor Elizabeth Gibson, with support from a Scientific Officer, Research Technician and Partnership Manager.

We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact Elizabeth.gibson@newcastle.ac.uk. We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs’

Submit a CV and a two‑page cover letter outlining your fit for the role, examples of how you meet the essential criteria, and your motivation for this post. Please include contact details for two referees (references will be taken at offer stage unless you indicate otherwise).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present a short overview (10 mins) of a recent piece of their research at interview.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities 

Research Assistant

• Plan, execute, and analyse experiments with attention to controls, reproducibility and record‑keeping
• Apply a range of advanced in-situ/operando spectroscopic methods to catalysis for sustainable chemical feedstock production, focusing on reactions such as ethanol oxidation, selective C-C coupling and hydrogen transfer
• Employ advanced spectroscopic methods to monitor and understand physical and/or environmental degradation of compounds such as polymers
• Develop automated methods to accelerate standardised analytical testing and analysis of complex data sets
• Integrate experimental results with theoretical models and simulations to establish structure-activity relationships that guide the rational design of new catalysts or processes, and/or high-throughput screening of compounds or their degradation products
• Regular communication with collaborators across the consortium; presentation of results at lab meetings, workshops and conferences
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes

• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate

In addition for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

• Hands‑on experience with operando, in-situ and/or time-resolved spectroscopy and/or microscopy applied to heterogeneous catalysis and/or electrocatalysis for the elucidation of reaction mechanisms
• Experience in at least two of: electrochemical analysis; photocatalysis; environmental monitoring to determine persistence of molecules
• Experience with the design of bespoke reaction vessels, cells, or fixtures and experiments to undertake spectroscopy in unusual or new environments
• Experience with laboratory automation
• Ability to follow laboratory operations and safety protocols, including contribution to shared protocols, SOPs and data repositories
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy

• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems

In addition for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a closely related field

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. physical, inorganic or analytical chemistry, catalysis, materials science, chemical engineering or a closely related field)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29699