Assistant Professor in Solar Chemical Technologies

The UK Energy Research Centre; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Cambridge is seeking an Assistant Professor in Solar Chemical Technologies to develop and lead research in solar energy conversion and collaborate within the Circular Chemistry Centre. The candidate should have a PhD and strong post-doctoral experience, with responsibilities also including teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Qualifications

• Significant post-doctoral experience.
• Strong evidence of research excellence.
• Ability to develop and lead own research programmes.

Responsibilities

• Develop a dynamic, high quality and externally-funded research programme.
• Collaborate within the planned Circular Chemistry Centre.
• Contribute to and develop courses in chemistry at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Skills

Research in solar energy conversion

Chemical catalysis

Carbon capture and conversion

Biomass and plastic waste valorisation

Education

PhD degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Assistant Professor in Solar Chemical Technologies

University of Cambridge– Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Location:

Location: Cambridge

Hours:

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type:

Contract Type: Permanent

Placed On:

Placed On: 27th October 2025

Closes:

Closes: 5th January 2026

Applications are invited for an Assistant Professor to work in the area of solar chemical technologies, broadly defined, to be taken up in October 2026 (or earlier, by agreement). The successful applicant will have an excellent record of research in areas such as solar energy conversion, chemical catalysis, carbon capture and conversion, biomass and plastic waste valorisation, reactor engineering, or other relevant topics. The successful applicant will be expected to develop a dynamic, high quality and externally-funded research programme at an international level. Collaborative research within the planned Circular Chemistry Centre in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry is expected to be a significant part of the applicant’s programme, and collaboration with other parts of the university is strongly encouraged.

This post, subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period (up to 3 years), leads to a tenured position as Associate Professor. The University has a merit-based promotions procedure leading to Professor Grade 11 (equivalent to Reader) and then to Professor Grade 12 (Full Professor) via the University’s Academic Career Pathway scheme.

The Department has significant strengths in several areas of renewable energy and sustainability research, including artificial photosynthesis, waste valorisation, catalysis, batteries, carbon capture, photovoltaics and environmental chemistry. We are seeking to make an appointment which will bring complementary expertise or introduce new areas relevant to the development of solar chemical technologies.

Applicants must have a PhD degree in a relevant subject, significant post-doctoral experience, and strong evidence of research excellence. Assistant Professors are expected to develop and lead their own research programmes, so must be able to demonstrate a significant degree of independence.

Candidates must demonstrate a firm commitment to teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the Department and will be expected to contribute to and develop courses in chemistry, covering both specialised and core material.