Research Fellow in Synthesis and Characterisation of Metal-organic Frameworks

Job Description:

Are you an experienced and ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities? Are you looking to apply your skills in synthesis and characterisation of metal-organic frameworks to the development of new stimuli-responsive materials?

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained substantial attention from both academic and industrial sectors because of their exceptional porosity and their tailorable structures and properties. Use of MOFs in areas such as catalysis (e.g. CO₂ valorisation) and healthcare (including biomarker sensing and drug delivery) offer great promise for tackling major global challenges in energy, pollution reduction, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

This project, funded through a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, will:

1. build on our development of microwave flow reactor platforms for the discovery, optimisation, and scale-up of MOFs specifically targeting stimuli-responsive materials with new structures and particle characteristics;
2. deliver new understanding of MOF self-assembly processes and structure-property relationships using a range of in-, on- and off-line characterisation techniques including X-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscopy, IR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and gas sorption.

By combining MOF synthesis platforms (including one integrated with inline analysis to probe self‑assembly mechanisms) with comprehensive structural characterisation, this project will fast-track the development of high-performance MOFs and overcome challenges in reproducibility, unlocking their commercial exploitation.

We are seeking a Research Fellow to lead the synthesis and characterisation of new stimuli‑responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), using both flow and microwave reactor platforms and complementary experimental approaches. A major part of this role will be the design and execution of synthetic strategies to produce novel MOFs, followed by detailed characterisation to understand their structures, properties, and functional behaviour.

In parallel, you will investigate MOF nucleation and crystallisation mechanisms, measuring in situ formation and growth rates under both conventional and microwave heating. You will develop and apply kinetic models and compare reaction pathways across different heating regimes to build a comprehensive understanding of how structure and function emerge during synthesis.

You will employ advanced characterisation techniques, including, where appropriate, X‑ray atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, total/diffuse scattering, and electron diffraction (ED), alongside more routine X‑ray diffraction.

You will work closely with a Research Fellow developing automated flow microwave platforms, as well as with PhD researchers. Together, you will integrate experimental data and mechanistic understanding into evolutionary algorithms and optimisation workflows to accelerate the discovery of high‑performance MOFs. You will also collaborate with colleagues across the Institute for Process Research and Development (iPRD) and the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds to establish these capabilities towards MOF production.

The role includes dedicated time at major facilities such as the Flow-Xl facility (Leeds), Diamond Light Source, and the National Electron Diffraction Facility (Warwick). As this role is funded by Dr Andrea Laybourn’s UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, you will be provided with opportunities for travel to partner universities and there is financial support to attend national and international conferences and training courses.

You will have a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related discipline, with experience in the synthesis of MOFs and their characterisation using X‑ray diffraction techniques. You will bring a demonstrable track record of designing and executing synthetic strategies, analysing crystallographic data and developing insight into materials behaviour/properties.

Experience in either powder or single‑crystal X-ray diffraction is essential for this role. Experience with in situ characterisation, mechanistic studies, or advanced diffraction‑based methods such as electron diffraction, pair distribution function (PDF) analysis or total/diffuse scattering would be highly advantageous, but these are not prerequisites. Experience with flow chemistry or microwave technologies would also be beneficial, though are optional. As part of the role, you will have the opportunity to train on new techniques. This post would be ideal for an ambitious, curious, and innovative researcher who enjoys working in a diverse and interdisciplinary team, is excited to learn new skills, and is keen to develop new experimental capabilities. You should be motivated to share knowledge openly and support and train others within the group.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

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

Dr Andrea Laybourn, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Associate Professor

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 Jul 2026

Section: Research

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 p.a.
Due to funding restrictions, an appointment will not be made higher than £43,482 p.a.