Research Fellow

University of Birmingham - School of Chemistry

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £36,636 to £46,049 Grade 7

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 23rd September 2025

Closes: 7th October 2025

Job Ref: 105716

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to April 2027

Background

As Research Fellow, you will apply state-of-the-art materials characterisation to address an urgent industry challenge: the discovery and optimisation of new mechanically-robust granular ion-exchange materials for the removal of radioactive strontium and caesium ions form aqueous effluent nuclear waste. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team within the group of Dr Phoebe Allan at the University of Birmingham (UoB), and in collaboration with scientists from the School of Metallurgy and Materials at UoB, Diamond Light Source, the National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield Ltd and the Henry Royce Institute. You will work across the boundaries of chemistry and materials science to deliver new materials and knowledge, whilst developing a wide-range of state-of-the-art scientific skills directly applicable to career in academia or industry.

Role Summary

The role involves:

• Working within the project team for the EPSRC project “Composite zeolite ion-exchangers for nuclear waste remediation.”
• Performing experimental materials chemistry research to probe the mechanical properties and structure of zeolite ion-exchange materials using mechanical testing, x-ray diffraction and computed tomography and developing structure-property relationships.
• Working across the discipline boundaries of materials science, chemistry and synchrotron science with the support of the wider project team to develop new, optimised materials.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• A first degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or related subject, and a PhD (or close to completion) in Materials Science, Chemistry or a related discipline.
• A proven track record in characterisation of the structure or mechanical properties of solid-state materials.
• Experience with the analysis of either mechanical testing data (e.g. compression tests, nanoindentation) or data from x-ray diffraction and computed tomography experiments, including Rietveld refinement.
• A proven ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• A willingness to gain skills (with appropriate training) in new techniques to complement existing expertise.
• 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.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with the analysis of either mechanical testing data (e.g. compression tests, nanoindentation) and data from x-ray diffraction and computed tomography experiments, including Rietveld refinement.
• A track record of high-quality research outputs and a demonstrable commitment to research excellence.
• Experience in the development and application of in situ synchrotron or neutron experiments, particularly those using mechanical property testing.
• Experience in the synthesis and modification of solid-state materials via hydrothermal techniques.
• Experience of characterising ion-exchange properties of solid-state materials.
• Proven ability in successfully securing access to central facilities and leading central facilities beam time experiments.
• Experience of working in an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience with supervising and mentoring more junior researchers.

Informal enquiries can be made to Phoebe Allan, email: p.allan@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.