Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Polymer Chemistry
Department: Department of Chemistry
Reporting to: Prof. Andreas Heise, Dr. Robert Murphy
Location: 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin
Contract/Duration: 12-18 months (with potential extension)
Remuneration: €50,000-60,000 p.a. depending on level of experience
Closing Date: 25.10.2024
RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2021-2024” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.
Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI's new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.
For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks fifth in the world for “Good Health and Well-being” in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2024. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose.
About Our Research
RCSI recognises that excellence in research is critical to the quality of its educational activities, its credibility, and, overall, to its mission to enhance human health. RCSI's research strategy aims to build upon its strength in translational biomedical and clinical research to deliver transformational, high impact changes in health care. Targeting both Irish national and EU funding, along with increased collaboration with industry, is a major part of the RCSI research strategy. Forging increased collaboration between RCSI PIs and industry is of critical importance to achieving success in this area. RCSI is also committed to provide its researchers with the supports and developmental opportunities to enable them to continuously grow and support their overall career development.
Summary of Post
The Department of Chemistry at RCSI currently has a position available for a postdoctoral researcher in an EU Pathfinder project (www. polina-project.eu). The project will be carried out in the polymer chemistry group of Prof. Heise at RCSI and focus on the development of lithographic patterning techniques for polypeptides. The researcher will work closely with other members of a multidisciplinary project team within the polymer chemistry Laboratory at RCSI as well as members of the European project consortium. Applicants should have a PhD in polymer chemistry with strong experience in synthetic polymer chemistry as well as polymer characterisation. Experience in ring-opening polymerisation and characterisation of polymer networks would be beneficial.
Specifically, the duties of the post are:
§ Day to day management and delivery of the scientific work associated with the research project.
§ Prepare scientific reports and updates as required by the funder.
§ Other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.
§ Complying with statutory legislation and Department rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety.
§ Representing the best interests of the Department/College at all time.
Qualifications – (Essential):
§ Applicants should have a PhD in polymer chemistry.
Knowledge & Experience – ( Essential):
§ Synthetic organic chemistry for monomer preparation.
§ Knowledge and expertise with ring opening polymerisation.
§ Specific skills that would enhance suitability include experience in polypeptide/N-carboxyanhydrate (NCA) polymerisation.
§ Experience with polymer networks, characterisation and imaging.
§ Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.
Knowledge & Experience – ( Desirable):
§ Experience working with Schlenk lines and/or glove box.
§ Experience in cell compatibility tests and their interpretation.
We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we'd love to hear from you.
Application Process
Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.
Informal Enquiries can be directed to [email protected]. Please note we do not accept CVs directly.
Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.
Employee Benefits
RCSI make sure you have the resources you need to thrive by offering a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future. Below are some additional benefits available to you as an RCSI employee:
• Minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus an additional 6.5 Privilege days
• Flexible/hybrid working options for colleagues across many roles
• Additional leave options incl. paid maternity leave, paternity/parental leave, study leave
• 7% Employer pension contribution
• Onsite gym €10 per/mth incl. classes and PT sessions
• Childcare support 20% discount at Giraffe
• Free eye test and annual flu vaccination
• TaxSaver commuter tickets and Bike to Work schemes
• A site sustainability team focusing on the environmental initiatives; Green Campus Initiative '
• Competitively priced café and restaurant
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forums, and network groups
• Employee assistance programme with Spectrum Life
• Learning and Development training programmes incl. LinkedIn Learning for career progression
• Discounted services incl. GP visits, 10% off dental, staff parking, mobile tariffs, Group Scheme discount on numerous brands
• Sports and social club incl. yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, Zumba, running club, social evenings, Summer BBQ
• Ticket Draws for events including; Rugby, Taste of Dublin, Dublin Horse Show, theatre, music & comedy events
Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative