Research Assocaite

The Role
This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone ambitious to join the Chemical and Physical Sciences team in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. We have an open position for a research associate in carbohydrate chemical biology, as part of a BBSRC Prosperity Partnership. Furthermore, the successful candidate will work within the Keele Centre for Glycoscience, recently established to tackle a requirement for fundamental research and training in glycoscience (https://www.keele.ac.uk/glycoscienceresearch/).
Key Responsibilities
This role will form part of an innovative BBSRC prosperity Partnership “decarbonising the surfactant value chain by enzymatic processes” with Unilever. As part of its Clean Future strategy, Unilever aims to re-design surfactants and polymers from bio-based feedstocks, and to explore their potential applications and manufacture. The post at Keele will form part of this new network alongside the Universities of London, Manchester and Liverpool and Unilever. Its focus will be in carbohydrate chemical biology, involving the chemical and enzymatic synthesis of functional oligomer sequences.
Expectations and requirements
Applicants should have a PhD (or have submitted their thesis prior to taking up the appointment) in organic chemistry or chemical biology. Experience with synthetic methodology development towards carbohydrate containing targets is highly desirable. Applicants must have excellent communication skills, an ability to work independently, and have an organised approach to the management of their research. The candidate must also be willing to work across a multidisciplinary project and team, with attendance and presentation at project meetings across multiple partner institutions expected.
The post is available for 12 months initially but with the possibility of extension for another 12. The successful candidate may also be expected to undertake research secondments as an essential component of the Partnership program. The role will involve supervision of PhD and Masters-level students.
If you're passionate about collaborative research and contributing to the development of the Centre for Glycoscience at Keele, we encourage you to apply.
The Benefits
The University recognises that its success depends upon the contribution and dedication of its talented staff. In return, we have a competitive benefits package available, including:
• Competitive rate of pay with annual increments
• Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave
• Excellent staff pension scheme
• Access to continued personal, professional and career development
• On site ‘outstanding’ nursery
• Discounted health & fitness facilities on site
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)
• The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.
Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above
The University
Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience. With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 10,000 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at http://www.keele.ac.uk.
Keele University values equality and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.
Please note this appointment is subject to medical clearance by the University’s Occupational Health provider.
For informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisory team: Professor Gavin Miller – g.j.miller.ac.uk or Dr Sebastian Cosgrove – s.cosgrove@keele.ac.uk
Applications to this address will not be accepted.

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