Research Fellow in Ironmaking Process Decarbonsation

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,580 to £45,163, with potential progression once in post to £47,874.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to April 2027

Background

Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) is a cross-campus research centre with its hub in the School of Chemical Engineering. It unites researchers from various disciplines to advance both fundamental, applied and policy research in clean energy transition. For more information, visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/energystorage/

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join BCES on an industry-funded position that is aimed at foundation industry decarbonisation with the focus on novel processes for deep decarbonisation of blast furnace (BF) and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) processes. The postholder will play a key role in developing and demonstrating a new industrial decarbonisation technology – PeroCycle, based on in-process CO₂ splitting using a double perovskite BCNF.

Main Duties

The postholder will be responsible for the following aspects of the technology:

• Process design, simulation and optimisation for pre-pilot and pilot-scale plants
• Supply chain investigation and selection of key components
• Pre-pilot-scale PeroCycle test system design, optimisation, and construction
• Experimental testing of the pre-pilot scale system
• Interaction and Collaboration

Additional responsibilities include: 

• Research Dissemination: Contribute to research publications, reports, and presentations to share findings with the scientific community and stakeholders, subject to IP protection.
• Guidance and Support: Provide support and guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Student Supervision: Supervise students at both UG and PG levels on research related to the work and discipline.
• Research Management: Undertake management/administration tasks needed for the research.
• Enterprise and Public Engagement: Participate in enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities beneficial to the College and the University, typically under the supervision of a project leader.
• Promotion of Inclusivity: Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
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Person Specification

• Hold or be close to completing PhD in metallurgical engineering, or chemical and process engineering; or a good master’s or bachelor’s degree with significant engineering and practical experience in ironmaking and steelmaking, or chemical and process engineering.
• Demonstratable track record in process design and development, particularly within the ironmaking and steelmaking industry or related process industry; good understanding of the supply chain.
• Proven record and demonstrable proficiency in the use of process design and modelling tools (e.g. AspenPlus, MATLab), process equipment and system operation, and other relevant experimental capabilities.
• Good understanding or experience in relevant fields of science and engineering, such as energy engineering, materials engineering, or a discipline closely related to the main duties.
• Track record of academic publications, and/or successful delivery of projects in similar areas.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a diverse, international and cross-disciplinary research and development environment.

Informal enquiries to Lada Zimina, email: l.zimina@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: 17^th March 2025

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