Research Fellow - School of Chemical Engineering - 105954 - Grade 7

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham seeks a Research Fellow in Soft Matter Engineering to advance design strategies for antimicrobial nanocoatings. The role involves research, supervision, and contribution to funding initiatives in a collaborative environment, offering significant opportunities for academic excellence and innovation in sustainable technologies.

Qualifications

• First degree in Chemistry or relevant subjects.
• Higher degree relevant to Surface Science required.
• Expertise in surface functionalisation desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work on antimicrobial coatings project focusing on surface functionalisation.
• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Supervise students and provide guidance.

Skills

Analytical capability

Communication of complex information

Surface wetting knowledge

Surface functionalisation skills

Education

First degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Higher degree relevant to Surface Science or equivalent

Job description

Position Details

School of Chemical Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closing date: 22nd July 2025

Background

The School of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Fellow with a background of Soft Matter at Surfaces and Interfaces, to address a series of fundamental challenges underpinning strategies for designing antimicrobial nanocoatings.

Building on a series of previous work (Qi et al. ACS Appl. Mater.Interface In press, DOI:10.1021/acsami.2c23251; Avila-Sierra et al. Surf. Coating Technol. 2023, 452, 129054; Avila-Sierra et al.ACS Appl. Mater.Interface 2021, 13, 35506), the Soft Matter Engineering group is leading a European research consortium in developing sustainable antimicrobial surface coating (https://www.supreme-project.eu).

Role Summary

• Work on the SUstainable nanoPaRticles EnablEd antimicrobial surface coatings (SUPREME) ( https://www.supreme-project.eu ) project,with a particular focus on surface functionalisation, characterisation, and coating formulation
• Expertise in surface functionalisation using physical and/or chemical approach is highly desirable. Surface and interface characterisation techniques are critical
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD 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
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect 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

• First degree in area of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or relevant subjects andnormally, a higher degree relevant to Surface Science, Colloidal Science, Surface Engineering or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.Fundamental knowledge concerning surface wetting, spreading would be essential to the project. Expertise in surface functionalisation using physical and/or chemical approach is highly desirable
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• 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 Claire Moran, 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 .