Postdoctoral Position in Organic Chemistry and Nickel Catalysis at Durham University and Chiesi Farmaceutici

The Franchino Lab at Durham University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a project in organic chemistry and nickel catalysis, funded by the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account in partnership with Chiesi Farmaceutici. This unique opportunity allows the successful candidate to work for 5 months in the Franchino group at Durham University (UK) and then 3 months at Chiesi Farmaceutici in Parma, Italy. The research focuses on the development of homogeneous catalytic methods for the selective synthesis of added-value compounds from feedstock substrates, merging organocatalysis and transition-metal catalysis to create new strategies for site-, diastereo-, and enantioselective reactions. The project targets medicinally relevant scaffolds and leverages non-covalent interactions in catalyst design, with investigations using kinetic studies, spectroscopic analysis, and physical organic chemistry tools. Applicants should have a PhD in organic chemistry or a related field, with experience in catalysis and chemical synthesis. The position is fully funded for 8 months, but specific salary details are not provided. The application deadline is 5 March 2026. Interested candidates should apply via the Durham University job portal and may contact the Franchino Lab for further information. This is an excellent opportunity for researchers interested in advanced catalysis, chemical synthesis, and interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry.