Research Fellow (Battery Materials and Interfaces) - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 108087 - Grade 7

This fixed-term Research Fellow position at the University of Birmingham focuses on developing continuous flow processes for lithium-rich cathode synthesis. Responsibilities include synthesizing, characterizing, and electrochemically testing cathode materials. Applicants require a PhD in a relevant field, expertise in co-precipitation, cathode characterization techniques, and battery electrochemistry.

• 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
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• 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
• 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
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
• Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.

• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• 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 and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.
• A PhD (or near completion-post-viva) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or other relevant to the research area
• Fluent understanding of: (1) preparation of battery materials by co-precipitation methods
• (2) characterisation of cathode particles by techniques including electron microscopy, particle size analysis, tap density analysis, and X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement
• (3) battery electrochemistry
• Previous experience of (1) synthesis of battery materials by co-precipitation, and (2) electrode manufacture, battery assembly, and electrochemical testing
• Informal enquiries to Dominic Spencer-Jolly, email: d.h.spencer-jolly@bham.ac.uk