Research Fellow - School of Chemistry - 96060

Position Details 

School of Chemistry 
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,348 to £42,155, with potential progression once in post to £44,737  
Grade 7  
Full Time Fixed Term Contract up to 30 September 2023
Closing Date: 4 September 2022

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work as part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship research programme focussed on energy storage applications on metal-nitrogen-hydrogen materials. The programme looks to demonstrate the application of these materials as catalysts for the production of hydrogen from ammonia, solid state electrolytes, battery cathode materials and porous materials. The project is led by Dr Josh Makepeace and will be based in the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. The position will involve synthesis of metal-nitrogen-hydrogen materials and analysis of their functional properties through various laboratory-based and central facilities (ISIS and Diamond) experiments.

Summary of Role

•    To undertake research in the synthesis and energy storage applications of metal-nitrogen-hydrogen materials (e.g. metal amides/imides/nitride-hydrides) under the supervision of Dr Josh Makepeace.
•    To analyse and interpret experimental results and communicate those results through articles for peer-reviewed scientific journals, poster and oral presentations at national and international conferences, and other written/multimedia forms for dissemination to a wider non-specialist audience.
•    To play an active role in the Makepeace research group and wider materials chemistry group in the School of Chemistry by participating and presenting in group meetings, contributing to the operation of the communal laboratories, assisting with the supervision of research students, maintenance and training on relevant laboratory equipment.
•    To participate in and help develop collaborations with other academic and industrial partners.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
•    Perform research; collect, analyse and interpret data to a high level of competency and quality.
•    Contribute to developing new ideas, directions, techniques and methods in order to advance the project and enhance its quality.
•    Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant scientific literature.
•    Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
•    Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars and conferences.
•    Supervise and mentor students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD/Masters students where appropriate to the discipline.
•    Contribute to a positive and supportive research group culture through engagement with group meetings and collaboration with other researchers.
•    Undertake management/administration arising from research.
•    Contribute to Departmental/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, often under supervision of a project leader
•    Help to deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

Person Specification

•    First degree in area of specialism and normally, to have completed or be nearing completion of a higher degree (PhD) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
•    High level experimental and analytical capability in one or more of the following areas relevant to energy storage applications: solid state synthesis, air-sensitive sample handling, porous materials synthesis and characterisation, catalyst testing and characterisation, structural analysis, electrochemical analysis of solids.
•    Ability to communicate complex information clearly through oral and written presentations for national and international audiences.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills for working as part of a research team and interacting with collaborators.
•    Ability to work independently to develop the project.
•    Experience in relevant analysis techniques and protocols including X-ray and neutron diffraction, TGA, MS, Raman/IR spectroscopy, Rietveld analysis etc.
•    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.
 

Informal enquiries can be made to Joshua Makepeace; [email protected]

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.