The Programme aims to deliver a step-change in the understanding and control of electrochemical growth of functional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors, combining precursor design and synthesis, electrochemistry, theory, advanced characterisation and device integration. In addition to the essential disciplinary research skills, candidates should demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for collaborative working, the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines, and well-developed organisational skills.

This position is primarily concerned with the electrochemistry of transition metal complexes in dry non-aqueous solvents and nanoscale deposition. This includes detailed electrochemical characterisation of the single source precursors, optimisation of deposition conditions to achieve high-quality mono- and few-layer materials, and the integration of the electrodeposition process with nanoscale electronic device architectures. The successful candidate will work within the electrochemistry team led by Phil Bartlett in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Southampton, and will be required to be flexible and interact effectively with colleagues across the wider EXPRESS consortium to fulfil the scientific goals of the Programme. 

The position is offered until 31/12/2028 in the first instance, with the possibility of extension for up to 3 further years.

Apply by uploading your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role.

Closing Date: 04 Nov 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £36,636 to £41,064
Full Time Fixed Term (until 31/12/2028)

This postdoctoral fellowship is part of the EXPRESS Programme Grant (Exploiting Single Source Precursors for the Electrochemical Growth of Functional 1D and 2D Metal Dichalcogenide Semiconductors) recently awarded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). EXPRESS is a large (>£10M) flagship, interdisciplinary research programme over 5-years. It is led jointly by the Universities of Southampton and Warwick, alongside several international and industrial partners, and brings together internationally leading teams from across chemistry, physics and electronic engineering. It aims to deliver a step-change in the understanding and control of electrochemical growth of high-quality mono/few-layer functional transition metal dichalcogenides TMDCs, combining precursor design and synthesis, electrochemistry, solution and surface computational modelling, advanced characterisation and device integration. In addition to the essential disciplinary research skills, candidates should demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for collaborative working, the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines, and well-developed organisational skills.

In this role your primary focus will be using computational methods to model the behaviour of novel transition metal precursor complexes and other molecular compounds and ions in electrochemically relevant solutions, exploring their speciation in a range of relevant solvents and in the presence of a range of other species such as additives and inhibitors. You should have a good understanding of, and experience with, modern wavefunction and density functional methods, and have had experience in applying these methods to inorganic systems.

You will work in close collaboration with other computational experts and with experimentalists in electrochemistry studying the electrochemical properties of the precursors and the TMDC nucleation and growth processes, and with the inorganic synthesis team who will prepare the precursor compounds. You will be required to be flexible and interact effectively with colleagues across the wider EXPRESS consortium to fulfil the scientific goals of the Programme.

The position is offered for 24 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.

In your application, in addition to answering the specific questions, please include a CV and cover letter, clearly indicating how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria for this post.

Closing Date: 30 Oct 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £37,369 to £40,704 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 24 months

Applicants must hold a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry (or be close to completion), or have equivalent professional qualifications and experience. Strong expertise in organic synthesis is required, including multi-step synthesis, reaction optimisation, purification and structural characterisation. Experience in total synthesis, catalysis, photochemistry and/or mechanistic studies would be advantageous. You should have an excellent work ethic, strong problem solving skills and enthusiasm for achieving the project aims. You will also contribute to the general running and maintenance of the laboratory.

The project will focus on the biomimetic synthesis of complex natural products, particularly meroterpenoids, using cascade reactions inspired by biosynthetic pathways. The research will explore how simple precursors can be converted rapidly into structurally complex molecules through dearomatisation, rearrangement and cycloaddition chemistry. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing new reactions based on the inherent reactivity of proposed biosynthetic intermediates, combining total synthesis with reaction discovery and mechanistic investigation.

You will join the George Group in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Southampton. The project will provide advanced training in synthetic organic chemistry and structural characterisation, with opportunities to interact with collaborators in computational chemistry, natural product isolation and biosynthesis. You will be encouraged to present your research at national and international conferences, contribute to publications arising from the project, and develop mentoring and leadership skills within the research group.

Recent work relevant to the project includes:

Further information about our research can be found on the group website: https://jonathangeorgeblog.wordpress.com/ 

For informal enquiries contact Dr Jonathan George: jonathan.george@southampton.ac.uk 

Letters of recommendation are not required at this stage but will be requested if you are shortlisted for interview. Interviews are due to be held in November 2026.

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. Both the University of Southampton and Chemistry are proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards.

Closing Date: 26 Oct 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £37,369 to £45,641 Per Annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 3 Years

We are looking for a Laboratory Manager/ Technical Expert to perform and supervises a range of complex work activities including overseeing and day-today management of the delivery of the Open Access Service and support of other instrumentation within the Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Facility. The work involves:

• the application of highly specialised technical skills, to maintain and troubleshoot a portfolio of analytical instruments (LC-MS, SFC-MS, GC-MS)
• managing and delivering short and medium-term projects and work assignments,
• managing technical practices and service provisions,
• providing specialist advice, guidance and recommendations to staff and students on a range of analytical LC-MS, SFC-MS, GC-MS instruments,
• Ensuring operational excellence and consistency of practice, especially in Health and Safety, in line with university strategic priorities

The Open Access Service, delivered over 13,000 sample analyses in the last financial year. In addition, with recent investments and funding successes in the School, especially in the Organic & Biological Chemistry research area, this activity is expected to grow further – with 20 PhD students starting in this section in September.

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. Both the University of Southampton and Chemistry are proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards.

Closing Date: 19 Oct 2026

Section: Technical & Experimental

Salary: £36,636 to £43,482
Full Time Permanent