Purpose:
Johnson Matthey (JM) and the University of St Andrews are working in collaboration with PhotoReAct an EU funded (project no. 956324) innovative training network (ITN) for new Early Stage Researchers (i.e. who have not yet obtained their PhD) aiming to make important contributions to the applicability and scalability of photocatalytic processes through the design of novel photocatalysts, new photocatalytic methodologies, cutting-edge technological solutions to enable automation and scalability, and immediate industrial implementation.

The successful candidate who secures this fantastic programme will become very much a part of our Life Science Technologies business and join our colleagues at our site at the Cambridge Science Park, you will also spend time with Eli Zysman-Colman, Professor of Optoelectronic Materials at the University of St Andrews.

The Research Project:
The use of visible light energy to induce chemical transformations constitutes a chemoselective and green activation mode of organic molecules. However, implementation of this energy source in organic synthetic methodologies and in the industrial production of fine chemicals has been challenging. The PhotoReAct Innovative Training Network establishes a training network with 10 beneficiaries from academia and 4 beneficiaries from industry to tackle the challenges associated with photocatalysis in a coherent and comprehensive fashion. In total 15 Early Stage Researchers will be trained within the PhotoReAct network. The network will provide them with opportunities to undertake research with the aim to overcome the current limitations towards the applicability and scalability of photochemical transformations. This will be achieved through rational design of novel photocatalysts, the development of new photocatalytic methodologies, improved reactor technology and direct industrial implementation of photocatalytic transformations. Furthermore, the ESRs will be trained in the PhotoReAct graduate school, acquiring scientific, personal and soft skills. All ESRs will perform three secondments, of which at least one is intersectoral and carried out with an industrial partner and a second is international. Consequently, the ESRs will have improved career prospects and a higher employability. Due to the high degree of industrial participation, the PhotoReAct network will provide an innovation-friendly environment where scientific results can grow and become products or services that will benefit European economies.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 956324. For further information on Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions please visit: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020- section/marie-sklodowska-curie-actions

Are you the ideal candidate?

- You will be educated to a Master’s degree level in chemistry and someone who has not obtained a PhD.
- Excellent command of the English language both written and verbal.

How to Apply:
Please do not apply directly through this advert or to JM as your application will not be considered. Applications are to be sent directly to Eli Zysman-Colman, Professor of Optoelectronic Materials at the University of St Andrews;
Please email all relevant documents including your CV, cover letter, names of reference, etc. to ezc@st-andrews.ac.uk

Recruitment will be in accordance with the European Charter and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
An open, transparent, impartial, equitable and merit-based recruitment procedure will be followed. It will be ensured that no conflict of interest exists in or arises from the recruitment (family, economic interest, emotional life).

Closing date for applications: 1st December 2020

All shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual panel interview on the 10th of December between 14:00 - 17:00 UK time.

The allowances which accompany this position are as per Page 97 of the H2020 Work Programme: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-msca_en.pdf

As a PhD fellow you will be paid 186,172.56 EUR for the 36 months (this will be broken down into monthly payments, paid in GBP & subject to currency exchange rates).

Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. Following the ‘Women and Science’ movement, the PhotoReAct project encourages and promotes applications from excellent female candidates.