Research Fellow in High Throughput Crystallization and Analysis

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in crystallization? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

We are looking for an outstanding Research Fellow to join a research project based in the groups of Professor Fiona Meldrum in the School of Chemistry and Professor Nik Kapur in the School of Mechanical Engineering. The project is part of a new £7M EPSRC funded Programme Grant that brings together a team of researchers from the universities of Leeds, Durham and Manchester investigating the formation of Molecular Organic Solid Solutions (MoSS).

Solid solutions are created when atoms or ions of a dopant are incorporated within the crystal structure of a host. Even at minute quantities, this can significantly alter the properties of crystals. Although solid solutions in metals and inorganic materials are well-studied, little is known about systems where the host and dopants are small organic molecules (MoSS).  There is huge potential of utilising MoSS for changing and modulating materials properties, such as solubilities, crystal polymorph, crystal sizes and shapes and rates of dissolution.

The overall goal of the consortium is to develop and apply cutting-edge techniques in crystal synthesis, characterisation and modelling to study and generate a new understanding of MoSS. These advances will have applications across multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and food industries.

There are multiple opportunities to collaborate, take part in network events and undertake research placements within this project.

You will have a PhD in Physical Sciences or a closely related field, and you will have a background in the experimental study of crystallization.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Professor Fiona Meldrum, School of Chemistry

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6414

Email: [email protected]

OR

Professor Nik Kapur, School of Mechanical Engineering

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 2152

Email: [email protected]

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance. Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

Closing Date: 03 Feb 2026

Section: Research

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 p.a.