PDRA in Sustainable Polymers for Liquid Formulations

Role Description

Project and Department

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymers for Liquid Formulations to work with Professor Antoine Buchard for 24 months. The post is supported by the EPSRC through the Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub (SCHEMA).

The project will focus on the development, from renewable monomers, of more sustainable oligomers and polymers for liquid formulations. Such molecules which are in millions of consumer and industrial products, across sectors ranging from personal care to agriculture, paints and coatings. The project is collaborative and involves a number of major international companies, as well as other SCHEMA Hub academic partners.

The post is full time (with flexibility if required) and is available from 1st February 2025. 

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest and most successful academic departments at York, placed in the top ten UK for Research Power by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF). As a Department, we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award. 

The overall goal of this project is to develop renewably sourced polymers with high-performance characteristics for liquid formulations (e.g., rheology modification, amphiphilicity, biodegradability). These materials will be prepared from renewable monomers, including carbon dioxide, cyclic esters and carbonates, epoxides/oxetanes, acetals and anhydrides. These polymers will be designed to be functional, water-soluble and biodegradable. Target polymers will include macromolecules derived from sugars, which will exploit the functionalisation potential of sugar moieties. Precision polymer synthesis methods, including heterocycle ring opening (co)polymerisations, will allow to evaluate structure-property relationships, and test the influence of various factors, including polymer molar mass, architecture, composition, and side-chain functionalisation. While undoubtedly challenging, the project builds upon ideas, methods and preliminary results developed by the team group over the last few years. 

Applications for this post are welcomed from candidates who are excited about, and can make significant contributions to, addressing fundamental questions in synthetic chemistry and polymer science, as well as solving problems associated with the development of new applied technologies. The post, embedded in the world-leading Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) and the SCHEMA Hub, is ideally suited to someone looking to work in a team environment, and further develop their skills by using a wide variety of techniques.  

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• An undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Synthetic Molecular or Macromolecular Chemistry or closely related field or have submitted your thesis prior to taking up your appointment.
• Experience in synthetic organic (macro)molecular chemistry and catalysis, the analysis of (macro)molecules using NMR spectroscopy and other techniques.
• Highly motivated and professional work ethic, with commitment to high quality research, a collaborative ethos and a willingness to proactively support colleagues and students.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Antoine Buchard on antoine.buchard@york.ac.uk. 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork