Research Fellow

Fixed Term Contract (Ends 31/12/2024), 36.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE).

Do you have experiences in lithium-ion battery components, materials and device manufacture? Do you want to research and develop the technologies of lithium-ion battery, lithium-ion capacitor or solid-state lithium device? Are you ready to join a leading group with world class state-of-the-art battery prototypying facilities in the United Kingdom?

A very exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented Assistant Professor to research the technologies of lithium-ion batteries relating to components production, device manufacture and recycling processes. You would apply own proven experiences, integrate activities with research team and learn about the industrialisation aspects of lithium-ion batteries. You would focus on developing scientific innovation in lithium-ion batteries, specifically pursuing a competitive position in academic excellence with industry relevance.

Working in WMG Energy Innovation centre, you will lead the delivery of research programmes with our industrial partners and university collaborators. Specific responsibilities:

• Investigate lithium-ion technologies (battery, capacitor, solid-state).

• Develop manufacture activities (current collector, dry coating, electrode innovation).

• Quantify performance properties (electrochemical, physical, material, chemistry).

• Write and publish peer-reviewed scientific articles.

• Interact with internal teams, external industry partners and university collaborators.

WMG is a global venture and provides innovative solutions to industry, having an international reputation supporting research, development and education programmes around the world. The post will equip you well for leading roles in academia and industry. You will be highly trained and gain new experience in the industrial datasets for R&D, plus the scale-up aspects of breakthrough technology across the value chain of lithium-ion battery electrification.

You should have technical and research experience in the science and technology of lithium-ion batteries. Your published research articles will provide quantifiable evidence. You should have a good honours degree in a relevant subject, along with a PhD in a relevant discipline, and show demonstrated capability in some subsets of the following areas.

• Knowledge of lithium-ion devices (e.g. electrochemistry, cell testing).

• Knowledge of battery components (e.g. current collector, electrode manufacture).

• Knowledge of materials synthesis (e.g. chemistry, characterisation).

• Knowledge of materials recycling (e.g. hydrometallurgy, solvent extraction).

• Knowledge of electrochemical science (e.g. corrosion, deposition).

You will have full access to multi-million pound battery facilities in WMG Energy Innovation Centre, which is one of Europe’s largest energy storage research centres. Our core activities cover materials, manufacturing, characterisation and testing verification of battery electrodes, cells, modules and packs. The facility supports test, development and scale-up of battery chemistries from concept to prototype devices for scale-up preparedness and industrial evaluation.

If you have not yet been awarded your PhD, but are near submission or recently submitted your PhD, any employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow.

For more experienced postdoctoral researchers, an advertisement for a talented Assistant Professor (Research Focused) position is available on the system. The appointment will be made for one person only, either Research Fellow or Assistant Professor (Research Focused).

Interview Date: TBC

Job Purpose

Undertake activities to support the work of the department and Principal Investigator. Develop and enhance academic reputation with industrial relevance. Conduct collaborative research programmes and deliver scientific innovation.

Project Specific Responsibilities

There will be a range of activities to research, develop and innovate, which you have responsibilities to deliver and shape the next stage development. Activities such as:

• Investigate lithium-ion technologies (battery, capacitor, solid-state).

• Develop manufacture activities (current collector, dry coating, electrode innovation).

• Quantify performance properties (electrochemical, physical, material, chemistry).

• Interact with internal teams, industry partners and university collaborators.

• Guide colleagues with less experience, both staffs and students.

• Write and publish peer-reviewed scientific articles.

• Disseminate research findings in conferences.

Principal Accountabilities

Research and Scholarship

1. Establish a sound research base within the department in order to develop research objectives, projects and proposals.

2. Identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds to support a developing research agenda.

3. Extend, transform and apply knowledge acquired from scholarship to research and appropriate external activities.

4. Write or contribute to publications or disseminate research findings using other appropriate media.

5. Make presentations at conferences or exhibit work in other appropriate events.

6. Routinely communicate complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers using high level skills and a range of media.

Teaching and Learning Support

1. Contribute to the supervision of postgraduate research students.

2. Contribute to the assessment of students learning and knowledge.

Administration and Other Activities

1. Undertake specific departmental roles as may be required.

2. May be required to attend departmental meetings and to participate (where necessary) in other committees and working groups within the department, the faculty and the University.

3. Participate in relevant professional activities.

4. Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work and, when appropriate, undertake risk assessments.

5. Participate in and develop external networks, for example to identify sources of funding, generate income, obtain projects, or build relationships for future activities.