Advert
This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.
Internal Redeployment Only - Research Associate in Time Resolved X-ray Diffraction and Spectroscopy
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University
We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work on a solid state analytical chemistry project within the research programme ‘Dynamic X-ray Diffraction in Solar Energy Materials Design’. This 18-month position is funded by the Royal Society and will be supervised by Dr Lauren Hatcher.
The overall focus of the programme is to design new electrically active crystalline materials that display light-triggered property switching and to study their 3D switching mechanisms using cutting edge dynamic X-ray diffraction techniques. These materials are of interest for solar energy applications and, by understanding the structural basis for their photoactivity, we can rationally design new systems with enhanced functionality. Dr Hatcher’s group are developing state of the art time resolved diffraction and spectroscopy approaches to study these novel materials in-situ and in real time. They have created a Time-Resolved Instrument for X-ray Structures (TRIXS) that can perform dynamic X-ray diffraction measurements in the home laboratory. The Research Associate will drive forward the integration of time resolved X-ray diffraction with in-line spectroscopy measurements at Cardiff University. They will develop standard data collection and processing protocols for {X-ray+Raman} experiments, using Raman probe equipment recently installed into TRIXS. They will also work to install and commission other in-line spectroscopic probes into the instrument. This role will require the PDRA to synthesize and crystallize known photoactive materials for use as benchmark crystals, via previously established organometallic synthesis routes. Where appropriate, synthetic work may also extend to novel solar energy materials discovery. The PDRA will also contribute to time resolved experiments at synchrotron and XFEL facilities, including at the UK synchrotron Diamond Light Source.
Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in analytical solid state chemistry, or relevant industrial experience.
Further Information Is Available At The Following Group Webpages:
Dr Lauren Hatcher: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/1766425-hatcher-lauren
For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact Dr Lauren Hatcher: e-mail HatcherL1@cardiff.ac.uk ; Tel. 029 2087 6364 .
For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact: Ms Caroline Pasmore ( Chemy-HR@cardiff.ac.uk )
This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available from 1st September 2025 for 18 months.
Salary: £40,497- £45,413 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate that an appointment be made above £40,247 per annum (Grade 6.32).
Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g.
Supporting Statement for 20285BR.
Closing date: Friday, 6 June 2025
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
The School of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply.
Job Description
Main function
To conduct research within the field solid state analytical chemistry, focusing on X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. This role will contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research
- To conduct research within the field of dynamic X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic studies of crystalline materials and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
- To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
- To participate in School research activities.
- To supervise and train PhD and final year undergraduate project students on a day-to-day basis;
- To contribute to the effective operation of the Hatcher research.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
Other
- To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (20285BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications And Education
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/submission) in analytical solid state chemistry or relevant industrial experience.
Knowledge, Skills And Experience
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i. Single crystal X-ray diffraction, including in-situ experimentation.
ii. Solid-state spectroscopy, including Raman, absorption and Infrared techniques.
iii. Organometallic synthesis, including air sensitive methods.
iv. Crystallization, for the purpose of producing single crystals for analysis.
v. Other materials characterization (e.g. powder X-ray diffraction, NMR, SEM).
- Knowledge of current status of research in time-resolved X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy.
- Proven ability to publish in international journals and present at national/international conferences.
- Proven ability to be successful in competitive research funding or knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
Communication and Team Working
- Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
- Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
Other
- Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
- Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria
- Evidence of collaborations with industry.
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
- Experience of performing single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments at synchrotron and/or XFEL facilities.
- Experience in one or more programming languages, preferably Python, C++ or R.
- Experience of small equipment design using 3D printing or other approaches.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Dr Lauren Hatcher is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join her research programme Dynamic X-ray Diffraction in Solar Energy Materials Design.
Background
This project aims to design, synthesize and crystallize new photoactive energy materials and develop state-of-the-art time resolved analytical methods to follow their useful switching behaviours in real time. The detailed 3D structural information gained by performing simultaneous in-situ diffraction and spectroscopy measurements, under in-situ and in operando conditions, elucidates key structure-property correlations that explain the structural response to light irradiation. We can then feedback this information into the materials design cycle to create improved systems with enhanced functionality. Our research to-date has focused on developing in-situ Photocrystallography methods, with experiments on second-to-millisecond timescales performed using our unique in-house Time Resolved Instrument for X-ray Structures (TRIXS), while very short-lived species are studied at synchrotrons and XFELs. We have recently installed in-line Raman equipment into the TRIXS set-up at Cardiff, and this combined {X-ray+Raman} capability is now ready for rigorous testing. These experiments will provide unique insight into solid state photoswitching mechanisms across multiple length- and timescales, information that can revolutionise our understanding of solar energy conversion at the crystal, chemical and electronic scale.
Project
The Research Associate will drive forward the development of dynamic X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy experiments using the TRIXS set-up at Cardiff. They will develop standard data collection and processing protocols for {X-ray+Raman} experiments, and install and commission other in-line spectroscopic probes. They will also synthesize and crystallize the photoactive energy materials required for analysis. This work will focus on remaking known materials for method benchmarking, via previously established synthetic routes. However, where appropriate, synthetic work may extend to novel materials discovery.
Salary Range Min.
40,497
Salary Range Max.
45,413
Job Category
Academic - Teaching & Research
Grade
Grade 6
