Research Associate

Job title Research Associate

Department Chemistry

Salary Starting from £38,784, rising to £46,049

Grade Grade 7

Contract Type Full Time, Fixed Term

Placed on Friday 06 March 2026

Closing date Friday 20 March 2026

Interview date Thursday 26 March 2026

Reference SS13465

Guidance for International Applicants

About the role

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available for an outstanding inorganic/organometallic chemist to undertake research in the field of copper(I) catalysis.

This is following the award of an EPSRC New Investigator Award to the University of Bath entitled "Carbon Dioxide Activation and Valorisation at Copper-Phosphorus Bonds". You will work in the Liptrot group, whose interest span main group chemistry, copper(I) catalysis and synthesis for materials science. The project will focus on the generation and exploitation of copper(I) boryls and related low-valent systems via traditional synthesis and mechanochemistry. The role is available from April to December 2026, and has funding available to support training and travel opportunities.

About you

The successful candidate will be expected to synthesise a range of copper(I)-main group complexes, perform mechanistic analyses, draft papers and supervise Postgraduate and Masters project students. All new compounds will be analysed by a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and mass spectrometry.

Previous experience with the synthesis and reactivity of NHC-copper boryl systems; and mechanochemical synthesis is essential to the role. A record of accomplishment of peer-reviewed publications is desirable.

Further information

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact David Liptrot at dl260bath.ac.uk.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant . an accredited Disability Confident Leader ; autism friendly university , committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .

What we can offer you

We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us and .

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Further details:

• Job Description & Person Specification

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.