Research Fellow: Sustainable Battery Shred & Separation

1000scholars; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Energy Materials Group (EMG) at the University of Birmingham is seeking a motivated researcher to join the SHREDDER project, an Innovate UK‑funded collaboration. The postholder will analyse findings, generate funding, and support commercialisation activities.

Key duties include operating a bespoke instrumented shredder, characterising materials with ICP‑OES, SEM, XRD, XRF, and contributing to milestones, dissemination, and industrial translation.

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a Science or Engineering discipline relevant to the project or equivalent qualifications.
• Pursuing or close to completion of a PhD in a materials recycling, battery manufacture, or related field.
• Experience or training in mechanical shredding, particle separation, or analytical characterisation is desirable but training can be provided.

Responsibilities

• Operate and further develop the instrumented shredder to study shredding conditions and material liberation.
• Investigate closed‑loop wet shredding and additives to promote delamination of graphite from cathode materials.
• Characterise shredded components with ICP‑OES, SEM, XRD and XRF to generate validated datasets.
• Collaborate with MTC and Ecobat to translate laboratory findings to industrial processes.
• Contribute to project reporting, milestones, and dissemination requirements.

Skills

Analytical capability

Clear communication

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Self coordination

Education

Bachelor degree in Science/Engineering

PhD in relevant area (near completion)

Tools

ICP‑OES

SEM

XRD

XRF

Job description

The Energy Materials Group (EMG) at the University of Birmingham is seeking a motivated researcher to join the SHREDDER project, an Innovate UK‑funded collaboration. The postholder will analyse findings, generate funding, and support commercialisation activities.

Key duties include operating a bespoke instrumented shredder, characterising materials with ICP‑OES, SEM, XRD, XRF, and contributing to milestones, dissemination, and industrial translation.