Research Fellow in Computational Materials Chemistry

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to July 2026

Background

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 100 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential. With a strong focus on our four Research Themes of Energy, Sustainability, Environment and Health, and a number of interdisciplinary Interest Groups serving as testbeds to explore new and emerging areas of interest, we are a dynamic place to work. We have ambitious plans to expand our research activity and are in an exciting period of growth: major investment from the University has delivered a state-of-the-art molecular sciences research building. This investment builds on a major recent expansion of our academic staff and investment in our teaching and learning provision, with our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, which opened September 2018, already revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry.

The Scanlon Materials Theory Group (SMTG), led by Professor David O. Scanlon, is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow in Computational Materials Chemistry to computationally explore new semiconductors systems. The post holder will use cutting-edge ML/AI techniques combined with DFT to discover new materials, and provide guidance and mentorship to members of the SMTG, as well as initiate personal independent research. The position is fixed term through to 31 July 2026.

This post will bring opportunities for career development, enable you to realise your ambitions in research and teaching, and enhance your leadership and management skills. You will initiate, conduct and disseminate original research, which will have measurable outcomes reflected in your growing national reputation. Management and administration activities will allow you to make important contributions at School level and to managerial/leadership activities (e.g., working groups) across the wider University. 

We are a collegiate School community. You will demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with the School, ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Computational Materials Chemistry or a related discipline
• Experience in Python Programming
• Expertise in Electronic structure analysis of solids
• Expertise in Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence approaches in Computational Materials Science
• Expertise in phonon calculations
• Experience of the VASP Code
• Experience of working with High-Performance Computing platforms
• Ability to analyse and write up data
• A strong publication track record
• Proven research skills in computational chemistry, particularly QM and hybrid density functional theory
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Informal enquiries to Prof. David Scanlon, Professor of Computational Chemistry, email: d.o.scanlon@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.

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

Closes: 01/01/2025

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