Research Fellow in Energy Storage

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closes: 22/05/2024

Background

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 application of them in the context of next-generation batteries, including all solid state formulations.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community with over 80 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. With a strong focus on its three main research themes, energy, sustainability and health, and a number of interdisciplinary interest groups, the School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; combined with investment from the University for the new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened September 2018) and Molecular Sciences Research Building (opening in 2023/24), we are entering an exciting period.

Main Duties

• 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. In this role there is a preference for candidates with experience in battery chemistry, particularly the application of solid state electrolytes.
• 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.

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, battery testing and electrochemical characterisation, solid electrolytes, porous materials synthesis and characterisation, catalyst testing and characterisation, structural analysis.

Informal enquiries can be made to Joshua Makepeace; j.w.makepeace@bham.ac.uk 

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

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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.

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