Research Fellow (110948-1025)

For informal enquiries, please contact Scott Habershon (Professor) at s.habershon@warwick.ac.uk

The Habershon research group at the University of Warwick are seeking to recruit a research fellow in computational chemistry.

The research fellow will work on a new project focussing on the development and implementation of automated computational schemes for direct design of catalysts for CO2 transformations. Combining automated reaction discovery (ARD) simulations and microkinetic simulations employing fast machine-learned reaction rate evaluations, this project will offer a new and exciting route to addressing one of society's grand challenges - turning CO2 from pollutant to commodity.

The successful candidate will work in the Warwick Centre for Computational and Theoretical Chemistry (CaTCh), based in the Department of Chemistry. CaTCh is a vibrant community of 6 academic research groups – around 40 PhDs and research fellows in total – with strong interdisciplinary links to researchers in engineering, physics, mathematics, and life sciences.

This project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and is available for 36 months (subject to satisfactory completion of probation requirements).

Further information on the Habershon group is available at: go.warwick.ac.uk/habershongroup  

You will have a strong background in computational chemistry, preferably with experience of AI/ML strategies for analysis of reactive chemical processes such as catalysis. You will be familiar with standard ab initio computational methods, such as DFT calculations, as well as reaction analysis strategies such as minimum-energy path calculations.

Experience of software development, documentation and dissemination (through routes such as GitHub) is also desirable.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

The Department of Chemistry at Warwick is a thriving community of students, academics, researchers, and support staff.

Our fundamental research pushes boundaries in all major fields of Chemistry. Through collaborations with the wider science community and industry, our applied work aims to tackle huge global issues from antimicrobial resistance, to solar energy harvesting, and sustainable materials.

We provide an inclusive, vibrant and friendly environment where our students have dedicated support to explore their passion for chemistry.

Athena SWAN Silver Award

We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.https://warwick.ac.uk/about/

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 16th November 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a supporting statement.

• A brief CV (TWO pages max.) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure your CV includes your most up to date qualifications and a summary of your education to date.
• A supporting statement (TWO pages max.) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence and examples of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to demonstrating how you meet the Person Specification detailing the essential criteria and any desirable criteria that you may fulfil.

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: To be confirmed

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.