Deuteration Chemist Industrial Placement

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Deuteration Chemist Industrial Placement

Salary: £23,328 per annum 

Hours: Full time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire 

Closing date: 20th October 2024

Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (Virtual)

Start date: September 2025

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Deuteration is an isotopic contrast technique, critical to neutron scattering. It enables complex hydrogen containing chemical and biochemical structures to be investigated and structural and chemical properties to be determined that would otherwise remain hidden. Although some deuterium-containing molecules are commercially available in gram quantities (for instance those commonly used as NMR solvents), most systems of interest to the user community are prohibitively expensive, or are not commercially available at all. The Deuteration Facility provides custom synthesis of target isotopic materials for the ISIS and ILL user communities in order to enable their experimental programmes. 

Brief overview of the scheme

STFC’s incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities. 

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here. 

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

With the world continually searching for advances in new and existing clean energy sources the role of battery storage technology has become increasingly important.  

In line with the current ISIS Science strategy, we are seeing an increasing number of battery material experiments being carried out at ISIS, this has therefore also led to a requirement for deuterated compounds that will enhance the results. In collaboration with the Disordered Materials, Crystallography and Molecular Spectroscopy Science groups we have identified several key solvents that would significantly improve the output from future battery related experiments. 

An example of this is methyl ethyl carbonate, that has previously been requested for neutron experiments. However, the facility was unable to provide this due to the complex nature of the synthesis and purification required to produce sufficient material. 

This project would initially look at producing this material and other compounds used as battery electrolytes or solvents in collaboration with the appropriate science groups. Further stages of the project would include scaling up the synthesis to help support a larger number of experiments. 

Provision of these materials would enable us to support new and current users and significantly improve the scientific output from future experiments within the clean energy sector.

To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following: 

Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I) 

Essential: 

• Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and returning to university/studies to complete your undergraduate degree following the placement (S) 
• Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S) 
• Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S) 
• Able to commence employment in summer 2025 (S) 
• Undertaking a degree in a Chemistry, or related degree and 2:1 or higher (S) 
• Synthetic Chemistry practical experience (S&I) 
• Experience with standard purification techniques such as distillation, chromatography (S) 
• Experience with analysing reaction outcome, eg NMR, LCMS, GCMS (S&I) 
• Familiar with COSHH and risk assessments (S&I) 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of good laboratory practise gained from previous laboratory experience (S) 
• Experience with chemical databases, eg Scifinder, Reaxys, Web of Science (S) 

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. 

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.   

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.