Postdoctoral Research Associate in Transient Optical Spectroscopy of Photoelectrodes optical fo

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Transient Optical Spectroscopy of Photoelectrodes for Organic Oxidations

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work under the supervision of Professor James Durrant in the Department of Chemistry, Oxford University. The position has a term of 12 months and is funded by the EPSRC (project EP/Z536258/1). The role focuses on transient spectroscopic studies of photoelectrodes for sustainable fuels and chemicals, in a UKRI-funded project on photocatalytic green hydrogen production in collaboration with the McCulloch group.

The research will employ transient optical analyses of photoelectrodes to investigate the complementary oxidation of organic molecules such as glycol to value‑added products. Key techniques include operando photoinduced absorption studies, correlation of material structure, spectroelectrochemical analysis, and photoelectrode performance evaluation.

• Conduct transient absorption and photoinduced absorption experiments on photocatalysts and photoelectrodes.
• Prepare and functionally evaluate photoelectrodes, and support development of new electrode designs.
• Analyse data, correlate spectroscopic findings with material structure and electrochemical performance.
• Collaborate with team members and contribute to proposal writing and grant reports.
• Supervise PhD and MSc students working on related projects.
• Manage and coordinate external collaborations and deliver technical presentations.

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field with experience in transient optical spectroscopy.
• Demonstrated expertise in transient absorption and photoinduced absorption analysis.
• Prior experience with photoelectrode preparation and functional evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of scientific reports and presentations.

Salary range: £39,424 – £47,779 per annum (inclusive of Oxford University Weighting). The role includes access to world‑class facilities and a collaborative research environment in a leading university department.

The University of Oxford and the Department of Chemistry are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under‑represented in Chemistry research posts in Oxford.