Research Fellow (Battery Materials Recycling) - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 97591S24 - Grad

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Birmingham is seeking a Research Fellow to join their multidisciplinary team. The role involves developing research objectives in the field of battery recycling, contributing to funding bids, and analyzing data. Ideal candidates hold a PhD in a relevant field and possess strong analytical and communication skills. This full-time, fixed-term position offers a salary range of £36,636 to £46,049.

Qualifications

• A PhD or close to completion in materials recycling or battery manufacture.
• Prior knowledge in physical processing of wastes and electrochemical testing is desirable.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Collect and analyze research data through various methods.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Analytical capability

Communication of complex information

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Resource assessment

Education

PhD in relevant area

First degree in Chemistry or related

Job description

Overview

Position: Research Fellow

School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026

Closing date: 23 September 2025

Background

The post is a fixed term Research Fellow position funded by the research grant "Recycling and Reuse of EV batteries (ReLiB)" that is provided by the Faraday Institution, the UK\'s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research and skills development. The Faraday Institution vision is to bring together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; to improve performance and reliability (The Faraday Institution - Powering Britain\'s Battery Revolution).

The overall aim of the ReLiB project (ReLiB - Sustainable Management of Lithium-ion Batteries) is to understand the conditions required to ensure the sustainable management of lithium-ion batteries when they reach the end of their useful life in electric vehicles. This will enhance the overall efficiency of the supply chain and ensure that the UK has the facilities required for safe, economic and environmentally sound management of the materials contained in lithium-ion batteries.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham will be investigating separation technology efficiency, and characterisation of separated lithium ion battery fractions, in addition to closing the loop of these material streams through manufacturing efforts and electrochemical testing.

To help us achieve our ambitious goal we are looking to recruit a post-doctoral staff member within the Metallurgy and Materials department. The post holder will support black mass valorisation efforts and contribute to re-manufacturing recycled Li-ion battery streams produced from the project, on a reel-to-reel scale.

The successful candidate will be responsible for remanufacturing cells (pouch format) on pilot plant scale, using materials produced from project partners, and effectively benchmark performance of these recycling routes to determine and evaluate processing characteristics on the material streams.

A truly interdisciplinary project within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, this post will work closely with other researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy and Materials as well as collaborators at central facilities such as Diamond Light Source and in industry.

As part of this role the post holder will work within the Energy Materials Group and contribute to writing future bids; operating within area of specialism. They will analyse and interpret research findings and results; contribute to generating funding; and contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and public understanding of the discipline.

Main Duties

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Collect, analyse, interpret research data through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, research interviews.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, presenting talks etc
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other battery researchers within UoB and our other partners.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and students who may be assisting with research.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• Address and resolve challenges that may impact the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• A first degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related subject, and a PhD (or close to completion) in an area relevant to materials recycling or battery manufacture, mineral engineering or chemical engineering.
• Prior knowledge, experience and achievements in physical processing of wastes, electrode manufacture and electrochemical testing protocols for batteries is highly desirable. However, training will be given to the right candidate in these areas.
• Demonstrably high-level analytical capability.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Demonstrable ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of, and ability to contribute to broader management /administration processes.
• A proven ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• A demonstrable ability to contribute to the planning and organising of research, and a clear willingness to work as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Emma Kendrick, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a \'typical\' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.