Research Fellow (Life Cycle Assessment of Manufacture and Recycling of New Energy Devices) - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 108037 - Grade 7

This role focuses on embedding life cycle thinking within the SuMaCer project for sustainable ceramic manufacturing. Key responsibilities include gathering data for Life Cycle Assessment, advising researchers on process sustainability, and tracking economic and circularity indicators of prototype energy devices. A relevant degree and demonstrable knowledge of LCA, technoeconomic assessment, or materials flow analysis are required.

• To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include:
• Deciding, in consultation with the principal investigator and others as appropriate, the most appropriate way of undertaking the specified research activities.
• Developing research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, within the scope of the research, defined below.
• Contributing to deciding what information to include in a bid for research funding and how to present the bid to maximise the likelihood of securing the funding.
• Work closely with the SuMaCer scientists to measure their life cycle inventories, provide LCA calculations and suggest ways to make their processes even more sustainable.
• Quantitatively assess the environmental, social and technoeconomic impacts of materials used and processes developed within the SuMaCer consortium, using established life cycle methods and comparing them against established benchmarks.
• Define future scenarios for scale-up and evolving energy systems and use these to perform prospective assessments.
• Assess the safety aspects of the selected materials, comparing them against industrial standards, following the EU’s SSbD framework.
• Track the economic indicators, replicability and circularity of the devices being developed within the consortium.

• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• 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.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to either battery supply chains, manufacturing/recycling processes, or life cycle assessment, or equivalent qualifications.
• Background may be in quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research but should be able to effectively work across disciplines.
• Demonstrable knowledge of life cycle assessment, and/or technoeconomic assessment and/or materials flow analysis, are desirable.
• High level of analytical capability, with good knowledge of batteries/related technology manufacture, or recycling, and/or environmental impact assessment methodologies.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Understanding of and contribution to broader management/administration processes.
• Informal enquiries to Jacqueline Edge, email: j.s.edge@bham.ac.uk