DMEx Innovation Fellow

Dunhillmedical; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work model

Generous leave

Job summary

University of Sheffield seeks a DMEx Innovation Fellow to lead high-impact research on Materials 4.0 for the Air Domain. You will coordinate activities across academics, government scientists and industry partners, driving innovations in metallic aerospace materials and sovereign capability.

Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant field, strong publication record, and proven ability to attract research funding.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with strong publication record.
• Proven ability to secure research funding from diverse sources.
• Experience leading research teams and projects.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead as senior researcher within the DMEx programme.
• Disseminate findings via publications and conferences.
• Identify and secure varied funding for follow-on work.
• Attract and supervise research staff and students.
• Ensure impact through engagement with policy and industry.

Skills

Leadership

Research management

Grant applications

Team collaboration

Communication

Industry collaboration

Education

PhD in Materials Engineering or related

Job description

School/Department: Chemical, Materials & Biological Engineering

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Closing Date: 18/10/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering seeks to appoint a DMEx Innovation Fellow to support an established programme of work funded by the Defence Materials Centre of Excellence ( https://www.royce.ac.uk/programmes/dmex/ ). This role is fully funded for the duration of the contract.

This unique opportunity recognises the important role that Materials Engineering plays in supporting the lifecycle of key assets and enhancing sovereign capability. Leading activities that pull together technical findings from multiple programmes across the DMEx portfolio, you will act as a central hub to take advantage of the latest developments in Materials 4.0, Passporting and Digital Twining. The primary focus of this programme is metallic components for the Air Domain. You will provide thought leadership and interact with key Sheffield academics, Government Scientists and Industrial Partners to support the primary themes of the Air Domain of DMEx:

• Weight and Cost reduction
• Reach and Persistence

We welcome applications from strong candidates working in complementary and closely related areas of Aerospace and Materials Engineering, where there is a clear fit with the School’s existing strengths and strategic priorities.

Applications will be assessed on a one page proposal to be submitted with your application which will be used in the initial short‑listing stage.

A requirement of this role is the successful completion of security screening.

Main duties and responsibilities

Contribute fully as a researcher and leader, fulfilling the appropriate requirements of the University’s Academic Career Pathway Framework (ACP).

Disseminate research findings through, for example high-quality publications and conference presentations. Ensure that at least one item in a rolling three-year period is judged through peer review as being internationally excellent or better in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

Conduct a programme of high-quality personal research by identifying and securing varied sources of funding for follow on work. Appropriate levels of research income are determined by the disciplinary or sub disciplinary norms for your department.

Manage or co‑manage external research funding over a period of grants.

Attract high-quality research staff to support the delivery of research. Provide effective leadership and line management to research staff, including a proactive approach to training and development.

Attract high-quality research students and provide them with effective supervision.

Ensure research impact through activities that demonstrate an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life beyond academia. Activity that supports this includes undertaking meaningful public engagement activity, patent applications, consultancy contracts for institutional benefit, two‑way engagement with policy makers in your own research area, etc.

Contribute to, and build cross‑research group activity.

Actively contribute to the collective vision, mission and values of the University through individual action and inclusive, collaborative working.

Contribute to the life of the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering and the wider University community through administration responsibilities and committee membership as required.

Demonstrate leadership by constructively challenging established practice, structure and process in order to bring about positive change and improved outcomes.

Through a leadership role, consistently make accountable, creative and considered decisions in response to a range of emerging issues and opportunities.

Participate in and develop links with external contacts (within academic, professions or with industry) to foster collaboration, at a regional and national level.

Be actively involved in professional activities such as refereeing papers, editing journals, refereeing research grants, external examining, organising conferences, committee membership and involvement with professional bodies.

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

Have completed or be near to completion of a PhD (or have equivalent experience) in a relevant research area related to Materials Engineering.

Application & Interview

Have expertise in Metallic Aerospace Materials and applied experience of the Fundamentals of Materials 4.0 in a defence context.

Application & Interview

Have an understanding of Sovereign Capability requirements and the relationship between Defence Research and the UK Industrial base.

Application & Interview

Research experience and reputation commensurate with career stage and role as evidenced by a good publication record/the ability to publish high quality research in peer reviewed journals.

Application & Interview

Experience of preparing grant applications for submission, including clear and feasible plans to secure research income from a variety of funding streams.

Application & Interview

Ability and potential to establish an independent and collaborative research programme that complements existing strengths across the School and develops links with academic and industrial partners.

Application & Interview

Have an awareness of IP generation and protection; experience of handling sensitive third party data and relevant security requirements

Application & Interview

Have an awareness of export control and international data sharing limitations.

Application & Interview

Experience with working in industry, ideally in an Aerospace field.

Application & Interview

Being able to communicate well, conveying ideas and concepts clearly and effectively as well as a high level of analytical capability.

Application & Interview

Good leadership skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Application & Interview

Being supportive and tolerant when communicating and working with colleagues, students and external collaborators.

Application & Interview

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an interview including a presentation on the Short Proposal. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage following the closing date with interviews held the week following. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Katie Bell ( [e-mail] ).

A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways

A range of generous family-friendly policies

paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

access to menopause support in the workplace

paid time off and support for fertility treatment

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

A requirement of this role is the successful completion of security screening.

Closing Date :18/10/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
[phone]