Research Associate/Fellow in Synthetic Organic Chemistry (Fixed-term)

**Area**

Chemistry

**Location**

University Park

**Salary**

£31,387 to £46,485 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD).

**Closing Date**

Friday 15 May 2026

**Reference**

SCI405726

We are recruiting a Research Associate/Fellow to the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, to work under the direction of Professor Chris Hayes. The project will develop novel natural product-derived antiviral molecules to treat viral diseases such as SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) and influenza A (Seasonal flu). This timely and exciting project is a collaboration between researchers based in the Schools of Chemistry, Veterinary Medicine & Science and Pharmacy at University of Nottingham.

Candidates should have experience of multi-step synthetic organic chemistry and its application to the synthesis of natural products.

The successful candidate will carry out the following duties

• Undertake the design and synthesis of a range of analogues of a natural product target as directed by Professor Chris Hayes.
• Synthesise sufficient quantity of materials to provide samples for evaluation of their anti-viral properties by collaborators in the Schools of Veterinary Medicine & Science and Pharmacy.
• Prepare high quality supporting data for publications resulting from the project.
• Liaise with academic collaborators, contribute to the supervision of student projects and to the maintenance and smooth running of the research laboratory.

Successful candidates will

• Have an undergraduate degree in Chemistry (or closely related discipline)
• Hold an existing PhD in Medicinal chemistry or synthetic organic chemistry (or be in process of submission)
• Be available to take up the post from the 1st April 2026.
• Have a track record in natural product chemistry.
• Have excellent organisational, communication and team working skills

This post is full time (36.25 hours weekly) and is fixed term for 9 months.

The School of Chemistry values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing women's careers in science. You can read more about this at www.athenaswan.org.uk and on our website www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/about/athena-swan

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Chris Hayes, email: chris.hayes@nottingham.ac.uk Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted. Information about the School of Chemistry may be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry.