Research Fellow (Sustainable Manufacturing of Functional Ceramics)

The post is a fixed term Research Fellow position funded by the research grant "SuMaCer: Sustainable Manufacturing of Functional Ceramics for Europe's Net-Zero Industry Energy Devices" provided by the European Commission's Horizon Europe funding.

SuMaCer's vision is to develop and optimise the entire value chain of functional ceramics, such as solid oxide fuel cells and metal-supported sodium batteries for energy storage solutions, with a holistic approach to sustainability incorporating eco-design principles and circular economy strategies – covering the full loop from manufacturing to recycling.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham will be focused on delivering the sustainability assessment including the determination of recycling pathways of these functional ceramics.

The postholder will play a leading role in recycling activities and be responsible for assessing the elemental quantities of the materials as part of initial characterisation studies, to the safe disassembly and recovery of materials. The successful candidate will apply a range of recycling tools to separate the feedstocks and to restore functionality of the materials. The candidate will play an active role in data collection inputs/outputs to support the life cycle assessments to evaluate the recycling pathway of these functional materials.

The postholder will be part of a vibrant and dynamic recycling team, as part of the Energy Materials Group (EMG) within the School of Metallurgy and Materials. Sustainability is a critical and interdisciplinary research theme at the University, and as such, the postholder will have ample opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Role Summary:
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Operate within area of specialism
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Analyse and interpret data
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other battery recycling project researchers within the University of Birmingham and at other partners
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, and presentations
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- 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
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Main Duties:
- The development and application of recycling strategies for the recovery of materials in semi solid-state batteries, ensuring a high regard for safety is maintained.
- The recording of inputs and outputs to apply and assess the developed recycling processes through Life Cycle Assessments.
- The characterisation of cells and their (elemental) components, including establishing and operating new analytical capability (CT, ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, and XRF) for compositional and microstructural measurement.
- Analyse and interpret research data to assess the effectiveness of each recycling route.
- Preparing quarterly reports/presentations to update the consortium on progress made in the research, in addition to fortnightly reports at a local level.
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, talks and posters.
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other battery (recycling) researchers within UoB and other (industry) partners.
- Supervise PhD/Masters students on research related work and provide guidance to students where appropriate to the discipline.
- Undertake management/administration tasks arising from research.
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
- Address and resolve challenges that may impact the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification:
- A first degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related subject, and a PhD (or close to completion) in an area relevant to materials recycling or battery manufacture, mineral engineering or chemical engineering.
- Prior knowledge, experience and achievements in recycling, material separation, and elemental quantification is highly desirable. However, training will be given to the right candidate in these areas.
- Demonstrably high-level analytical capability.
- Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Demonstrable ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
- Proven ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
- Understanding of, and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
- A proven ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- A demonstrable ability to contribute to the planning and organising of research, and a clear willingness to work as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
- 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.