A postdoctoral position for 3 years is available through UKRI funding underwriting a European Horizon-EIC Pathfinder Open grant entitled QUANTUM-TOX. This postdoc is part of a European collaborative consortium, with a total funding of 3 million euros, aiming to make a step change in computational toxicology. The post is tenable from 1st March 2024.
The need for fast, cheap and accurate technologies to assess toxic effects is pressing. Computational toxicology provides an array of methods for toxicity prediction only using computer approaches. However, contemporary computational toxicology has severe limitations. Predictions typically use Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models that rely on large sets of molecular descriptors. This causes severe problems since the methodologies cannot assess chemicals different than the ones used to develop the QSAR models, This project will develop a new type of descriptor, totally based on quantum mechanics, which can cover the whole chemical space and relies on a small number of parameters that are easily interpretable.
The position is open to an outstanding and ambitious computational chemist. Based within the Department of Chemistry, you will work with Prof Popelier and his vibrant research group. The Department is ranked 3rd in Great Britain and 5th in Europe by the 2021 Nature Index.
You should have a PhD (or equivalent) in chemistry with experience in quantum chemistry, or pharmaceutical or biological chemistry. You should be capable of working by your own initiative while interacting effectively in a research team. Therefore, excellent communication and organisational skills are also required.
What you will get in return:
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.
Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Paul Popelier
Email: paul.popelier@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
