Location
University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Starting salary normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

About the Role
This fixed term Research Fellow position is funded by the Faraday Institution research grant “Recycling and Reuse of EV batteries (ReLiB)”. The project aims to develop sustainable management of lithium-ion batteries at the end of their life in electric vehicles, enhancing supply chain efficiency and ensuring safe, economic, and environmentally sound recycling in the UK.

The successful candidate will work within the School of Metallurgy and Materials, investigating safe shredding and sorting techniques, supporting black mass valorisation, and contributing to re-manufacturing recycled lithium-ion battery streams on a reel-to-reel scale. Responsibilities include operating a bespoke instrumented shredder, recording life cycle analysis data, characterising and purifying recyclates, and benchmarking recycling routes.

This interdisciplinary role involves collaboration with researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials, other universities, central facilities such as Diamond Light Source, and industry partners. The post holder will contribute to writing future research bids, analysing and interpreting results, supporting licensing or spin-out activities, and promoting an inclusive working culture within the Energy Materials Group.

Key duties include developing research objectives, disseminating findings, supervising students, managing research administration, and contributing to enterprise and public engagement activities. The role promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

Experience
- Prior knowledge or experience in physical processing of wastes, battery safety, destructive battery testing, sensor interfacing and data acquisition, and materials characterisation techniques such as SEM, XRD, XRF, ICP-OES is highly desirable, though training will be provided.
- Demonstrable high-level analytical capability and ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and coordinating work effectively.
- Ability to contribute to research funding bids and enterprise activities.

About you
- Highly motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage research projects and meet deadlines.
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Enthusiastic about contributing to sustainable battery recycling and advancing scientific knowledge in this field.

Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
- PhD completed or near completion in a relevant area such as Li-ion batteries, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or Mineral Processing.
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques, or methods with the ability to develop new approaches.
- Understanding of research management and administration processes.
- Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and commitment to fair treatment in the workplace.