Assistant Professor in Solar Chemical Technologies

Assistant Professor in Solar Chemical Technologies

Applications are invited for an Assistant Professor to work in the area of solar chemical technologies, broadly defined, to be taken up in October 2026 (or earlier, by agreement). The successful applicant will have an excellent record of research in areas such as solar energy conversion, chemical catalysis, carbon capture and conversion, biomass and plastic waste valorisation, reactor engineering, or other relevant topics.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop a dynamic, high quality and externally‑funded research programme at an international level. Collaborative research within the planned Circular Chemistry Centre in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry is expected to be a significant part of the applicant's programme, and collaboration with other parts of the university is strongly encouraged.

This post, subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period (up to 3 years), leads to a tenured position as Associate Professor. The University has a merit‑based promotions procedure leading to Professor Grade 11 (equivalent to Reader) and then to Professor Grade 12 (Full Professor) via the University’s Academic Career Pathway scheme.

The Department has significant strengths in several areas of renewable energy and sustainability research, including artificial photosynthesis, waste valorisation, catalysis, batteries, carbon capture, photovoltaics and environmental chemistry. We are seeking to make an appointment which will bring complementary expertise or introduce new areas relevant to the development of solar chemical technologies.

• Applicants must have a PhD degree in a relevant subject, significant post‑doctoral experience, and strong evidence of research excellence.
• Assistant Professors are expected to develop and lead their own research programmes, so must be able to demonstrate a significant degree of independence.
• Candidates must demonstrate a firm commitment to teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Department and will be expected to contribute to and develop courses in chemistry, covering both specialised and core material.

Information about the Department’s research and teaching activities is available on the Department’s website:  Informal enquiries about the position may be made to Prof. Erwin Reisner (Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies, email: ).

To apply, please submit a cover letter, a CV, a list of publications, contact details for three professional referees, a research statement (up to four pages) covering research achievements to date, and a research proposal (up to four pages) for the future, including how this research might be funded and benefit from a Circular Chemistry Centre in the Cambridge Chemistry Department.

Please quote reference MA47650 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.