Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term)

University of Nottingham School of Humanities; Campus (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nottingham, School of Chemistry, invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on aluminium batteries as part of the Faraday Institution Ultrastore programme at Jubilee Campus. Candidates must have (or be close to) a PhD in chemistry or a related discipline with a track record in ionic liquid-based electrolytes and interphase studies.

The project focuses on electrolytes, additives, surface modification and electrochemical analysis to

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry or related discipline (or near completion).
• Experience with ionic liquid-based electrolytes is preferred.
• Background in studying interphases in batteries is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop electrolytes and additives to drive reversible aluminium plating.
• Modify aluminium surfaces and perform electrochemical analysis of materials.
• Collaborate with researchers in the Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group and report to project leads.

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Electrochemical analysis

Job description

£32,080 to £47,389 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Area

Chemistry

Location

Jubilee Campus

Salary

£32,080 to £47,389 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Closing Date

Wednesday 21 October 2026

Reference

SCI2309126

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral research fellow to work on aluminium batteries as part of the Faraday Institution Ultrastore programme. Candidates must have (or almost completed) a PhD in chemistry or a related discipline. A track record in the development of ionic liquid-based electrolytes and studying interphases in batteries is preferred. The candidate will work within the Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group at the University of Nottingham, reporting to Profs. Darren Walsh and Graham Newton. The aqueous aluminium battery is very promising for our future energy-storage requirements, as it could potentially store large amounts of electrical energy inexpensively. However, the performance of the battery is limited by the irreversibility of aluminium plating in aqueous electrolytes. The project will focus on the development of electrolytes and additives that drive reversible aluminium plating, and will involve the development of methods for modifying aluminium surfaces and electrochemical analysis of the modified materials.

The Faraday Institution is the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage science and technology, supporting research, training, and analysis. We bring together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; to improve performance and reliability; and to develop whole-life strategies from mining to recycling to second use. https://faraday.ac.uk/

This is a full-time, fixed-term post and is available for a period of twelve months.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing women's careers in science. You can read more about what this means at http://www.athenaswan.org.uk/ and on our website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/about/athena-swan.aspx

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Darren Walsh, Email: [e-mail]. Please note applications sent to this address will not be accepted.

The University of Nottingham is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community