Junior Application Scientist

Graduate-level Fixed-term scientist position
PARTICULARS OF APPOINTMENT

Molymem Ltd

1. Molymem, a spin-out company from the University of Manchester, invites applications for the above post, which is tenable from Dec 1st, 2022 for an initial period of 6 months.
    
2. The contract can be extended for candidates which develop in the role. Previous internships have developed into full-time employment positions.
    
3. Salary will be £24k per annum (pro rata) according to relevant experience.
    
4. Informal inquiries may be made to the company via info@molymem.com
    
5. Applications should be made via an e-mail to the above address. Please submit a 2 page CV along with a brief cover letter detailing your motivation and suitability in this post.
    
6. Molymem values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

BACKGROUND

Molymem is a University spin-out, with lab facilities at the University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) on Sackville Street in Manchester city centre. The GEIC is a dedicated building, containing state-of-the-art equipment for established and new companies to work on collaborative projects with the University, aimed specifically at the scale-up and commercialisation of products relating to 2D materials.

As such, Molymem’s technology (membranes based on exfoliated MoS2 for purification/filtration applications) fits perfectly with the GEIC remit, which thus represents the ideal place for the company to be hosted. Molymem is engaged with a number of well-known industry partners on commercial projects.

This fixed-term laboratory scientist position is focused on the preparation, characterisation and application of our patented 2D-material based membrane systems.

The successful applicant will gain experience of working with 2D materials a topical application (water purification) in a dynamic and fast-moving commercial environment.

This internship is partially funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties
The intern will prepare, characterise and test the MoS2-based membranes, as noted above, and will therefore spend most of his/her time in the lab – although some office time will be required for data analysis/report writing.

The intern would draw extensively on knowledge of analytical chemistry (for assessment of membrane performance) and material characterisation (e.g. spectroscopic and microscopic) methods for assessment of membrane structure/functionalisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential;

• Have, or be about to obtain, a good degree in Chemistry or a closely related discipline (e.g. Materials Science).
• Experience of independent research work, as obtained through a final year research project, or equivalent exercise.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, which will span both academic and industrial colleagues
• Ability to present data in both written and oral form.
• Ability to meet deadlines
• The ability to evaluate complex data.

Desirable:

• Experience, and a good working knowledge, of conductimetric measurement (or related solution characterisation)
• Ability to liaise confidently and effectively with a range of individuals
• Flexible approach to dealing with research problems as they arise
• Willingness to learn and develop
• Experience of characterisation tools (spectroscopic and microscopic) used commonly to characterise 2D materials, e.g. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning and/or transmission electron microscopy