Research Associate in Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Join a £7m EPSRC-funded consortium to advance molecular solid solutions via cutting-edge NMR spectroscopy and interdisciplinary research.

Best for:Best for postdoctoral researchers with expertise in solid-state NMR spectroscopy, multinuclear techniques, and a strong background in physical sciences or related fields.

The University of Manchester · Manchester, United Kingdom · R2 · Recognised researcher

More professors at The University of Manchester

solid-state NMR spectroscopymolecular solid solutionscrystal synthesis and characterisationcomputational modellingpharmaceutical and agrochemical applications

This is a postdoc position — not a PhD studentship.

Deadline

Oct 31, 2026

17 days

Funding

Salaried

£37.7k–£46.0k/yr

Start date

flexible (interviews expected late November/early December 2026)

Full-time

Location

Manchester

United Kingdom

Overview

This postdoctoral position at the University of Manchester focuses on solid-state NMR spectroscopy as part of a £7 million EPSRC Programme Grant. The project, led by a consortium of universities (Manchester, Durham, Leeds), aims to develop and apply advanced techniques in crystal synthesis, characterisation, and computational modelling to study molecular solid solutions (MoSS). These solutions have broad applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and food industries. The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research, develop research proposals, publish findings, and contribute to a multidisciplinary team. The role is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering and offers opportunities for collaboration, networking, and research placements across the consortium.

solid-state NMRmultinuclear spectroscopyDNP MAS NMRcrystal characterisationcomputational modellingEPSRC Programme Grantmultidisciplinary researchpharmaceuticals

What you'll do

Conduct independent and collaborative research projects aligned with the MoSS Programme Grant objectives.
Develop research objectives and proposals for individual or joint research initiatives.
Write up research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Stay updated on advancements in the field of solid-state NMR and related disciplines.
Translate new knowledge into innovative research activities and methodologies.
Collaborate with researchers across the consortium, including universities of Durham, Leeds, and Manchester.
Attend network events and undertake research placements to broaden interdisciplinary exposure.

Requirements

Degree required: PhD in the physical sciences or a related subject

Language: English (proficiency required for academic communication and collaboration)

Instruction: English

Required skills

Experience implementing advanced solid-state NMR experiments
Proficiency in multinuclear solid-state NMR spectroscopy (e.g., ¹H, ²H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷O, ¹⁹F, and other relevant nuclei)
Strong data analysis skills, including processing and simulation of NMR data
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team

Nice to have

Practical experience running a DNP MAS NMR spectrometer and associated experimentsExperience with computational modelling (e.g., spin dynamics simulations, molecular dynamics, DFT)Correlating NMR data with structural information from diffraction or computational methodsCharacterisation of molecular solids or crystalline organic materialsFamiliarity with complementary methods such as PXRD, DSC, TGA, microscopy, Raman, IR spectroscopy, or solid-form analysis

Eligibility

No explicit nationality or residency restrictions mentioned
No age or prior experience caps specified

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

£37.7k–£46.0k/yr

Duration

—

Programme

EPSRC Programme Grant

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-10-31

Submit a merged covering letter and CV as a single PDF document (file size must be under 1MB) through the university’s job application portal. Ensure your application is complete and adheres to the specified format before submission.

Documents required