Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

• Full-time at 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Fixed-Term position (36 months, start date 1st October 2022)

Ä€u Mahi | What You Will Do

As a key researcher, you will work in the research group of Prof Antony Fairbanks on a 36-month Marsden funded project entitled 'Radically different: new reactions of unprotected sugars in aqueous solution'. Under the overall supervision of Prof Fairbanks, you will perform synthetic organic chemistry using carbohydrates to produce a range of substrates for Photoredox catalysed derivatisation. You will lead both methodology development and subsequently different applications, and additionally mentor a PhD student in the Fairbanks group who will also work on the project.

Mōu | Who You Are

You have a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, with direct research experience of Photoredox catalysis. Experience of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry will be a distinct advantage but is not essential. You will have demonstrated track record of high-quality research as demonstrated by a strong list of publications in high impact factor international journals. You will be a dynamic and motivated chemist, willing to learn new research techniques, apply chemical principles to novel situations, and collaborate with a range of other researchers to develop applications of developed methods. You will have excellent laboratory notebook, data, and record keeping skills, be extremely well-versed in spectroscopic data analysis, and with a wide range of modern purification techniques.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū is one of the largest Schools at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. The School sits on a solid foundation, built on 150 years of academic tradition. The School has 88 members of academic, technical and administrative staff from very diverse backgrounds, who share the common goal of actively searching for innovative solutions to the problems facing New Zealand and the World.

The School is housed within the Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC), a brand-new research centre, with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, and offices in the newly built Beatrice Tinsley building. The School also operates the Mount John Observatory, a unique observation post within the Southern Hemisphere. Researchers from the School also have access to the Scott Base Antarctic Research station and the wider university's excellent research and computational facilities available which can be used to measure, manipulate, visualise and quantify the living world. The School offers majors in Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. Research in the School is concentrated in five major themes: Sustainability and the Environment, New Materials, Nanotechnology and Laser Physics, Energy and Storage, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Human, Animal and Plant Health.

For more information about our team, please visit us at

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Tangata TÅ«, Tangata Ora - Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury stands for whanaungatanga - we value people and their differences, manaakitanga - we extend care and empower others, and tiakitanga - we will enhance and nurture our resources.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits. For more information, please visit us:

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit

The closing date for this position is: 31st May 2022 (midnight, NZ time) Applications will be reviewed and processed as they are received, it is possible that an appointment will be made prior to the advised close date.

PÄ“hea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted on our and should include a cover letter (describing background, suitability for the position, your recent and future research projects) and curriculum vitae which includes a list of relevant research publications. Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to .

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Prof Antony Fairbanks ( ) for further information or with any questions, please subject the email 'Postdoc in Photoredox catalysis'.

This role requires that you are, and remain, fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any periodic boosters required by law or required to obtain a My Vaccine Pass), during your employment with the University of Canterbury.

Due to current border restrictions, you must have New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role. If you hold a valid work visa and are physically present in New Zealand then you may also be considered.