Royal Society of Chemistry

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IRMG Early Career Award Information

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms Discussion Group (IRMG) committee seeks applicants each year for an Early Career Award that recognises excellence in the field of Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms research.

Eligibility: Nominees/applicants should be an independent early career scientist, typically with no more than 10 years of full-time equivalent of professional experience (have been awarded their Ph.D. no greater than 10 years prior to the submission deadline). This should be experience gained as part of a scientific career excluding time spent in full-time education. Time spent as a postgraduate student should not be included (e.g. as a Masters/Ph.D. student). Time spent as a post-doctoral researcher should be included. Nominators/applicants will be asked to provide details of the applicant/nominee’s professional experience, in relation to the above criteria. Career breaks will be recognised, and applications are particularly encouraged from those whose career has spanned a break due to caring responsibilities or personal circumstances, (e.g. a period of parental/adoption leave, family commitments, illness, or other exceptional circumstances). Nominees/applicants should be RSC members based in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Any research where a reaction mechanism was explored and that mechanism involved a metal (d/f-block/main group) is deemed eligible for an IRMG award.

Award: The awardee will receive a certificate of recognition, a prize, and will be asked to present a lecture at an IRMG event.

Submission and Deadline: Nominees can either self-nominate or be nominated. Applicants or their nominators should submit the following:

  • C.V. of the applicant/nominee (maximum 3 pages);
  • a list of up-to-5 of the applicant/nominee’s most significant publications that highlight their major contributions in the inorganic reaction mechanism field;
  • a 1-page letter of recommendation that outlines the applicant/nominee’s contributions to the field;
  • a ½-page narrative highlighting the mechanistic chemistry that they want evaluated.

Applicants are encouraged to briefly explain career-breaks or potential gaps in eligibility. Applications/nominations should be sent by e-mail to the Chair of the IRMG Committee (Dr. Sam de Visser, sam.devisser@manchester.ac.uk). The deadline for submission for the 2024 award is May 31st 2024.