Job Description
Position Details
School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026
Closing date: 30th July 2025
UK and International travel may be required for this role
Background
The post is a fixed term (until 31/03/2026) Research Fellow position working on the Faraday Institution ReLiB Project. The Faraday Institution vision is to bring together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; to improve performance and reliability ( faraday.ac.uk ).
The overall aim of the ReLiB project ( https://relib.ac.uk/ ) is to understand the conditions required to ensure the sustainable management of lithium-ion batteries when they reach the end of their useful life in electric vehicles. This will enhance the overall efficiency of the supply chain and ensure that the UK has the facilities required for safe, economic and environmentally sound management of the materials contained in lithium-ion batteries.
The post holder will join the Chemistry groups led by Prof. Peter Slater, Professor Paul Anderson, and Dr. Phoebe Allan,
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/chemistry/anderson-paul.aspx
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/chemistry/slater-peter.aspx
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/chemistry/allan-phoebe.aspx
and will work on the development of recycling strategies for Li ion battery materials, in particular using low solvent or solvent free processing. This work will include detailed characterisation of these materials to understand the degradation characteristics of these materials at various stages of the recovery processes and then develop strategies to regenerate the material to allow use in new cells. A truly interdisciplinary project within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, this post will work closely with other researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy and Materials. Working on the ReLiB project, the postholder will contribute to writing central facilities access bids, operate within areas of specialism including characterisation and recycling of Li ion battery materials, analyse and interpret research findings and results.
The appointed person will collaborate with other researchers in the research groups of Prof. Anderson, Prof Slater and Dr Allan, elsewhere within the School and the University, and across the ReLiB consortium.
Role Summary
- Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
- Operate within area of specialism
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to writing central facilities access bids
- Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Develop research objectives and deliverables aligned with Li ion batteries in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Collect research data via experiments carried out on the analysis and recycling of Li ion battery materials
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students on the Li ion battery recycling
- Provide guidance, as required, to support any students who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for project meetings, conferences and seminars
- Disseminate research findings for publication in learned journals and technical reports
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, under supervision of a project leader
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
Person Specification
- First degree in Chemistry and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications/experience
- Research experience in recycling of Li ion battery materials.
- Proven experience as an experimental scientist
- Proven experience in inorganic materials characterisation.
- Demonstrably high level analytical capability
- Proven ability to communicate research findings clearly via oral presentation or written journal articles
- Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Proven experience of planning and organising a research programme and/or specific research project
- Demonstrable ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Demonstrable ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- 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
Informal enquiries to Professor Paul Anderson, email:
[email protected]We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website . 
