Research Fellow in Thermal Energy Materials and Devices - School of Chemical Engineering - 107338 - Grade 7 in Birmingham

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

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

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2027

Closing date: 14th May 2026

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 and applied research in clean energy conversion, storage and utilisation, as well as industrial decarbonisation, covering novel materials, devices and systems, alongside multiscale modelling, process scale-up, and manufacturing technologies and policy analysis.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join the University of Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) and the School of Chemical Engineering. This position focuses on materials and devices for energy conversion and storage (particularly thermal, thermo-mechanical and thermochemical energy conversion and storage), as well as industrial decarbonisation (through not limited to thermochemical carbon dioxide spitting and hydrogen production).

The post holder will be part of a large team and is expected to play a key role in developing novel materials and devices for thermal, thermo-mechanical and thermochemical energy conversion and storage, and industrial decarbonisation, which are application-oriented and manufacturable at scale.

The post holder will contribute to research activities across the following areas:

• Materials Development and Manufacturing: Formulation, characterisation, optimisation and fabrication of materials for thermal, thermo-mechanical and thermo-chemical energy conversion and storage, and industrial decarbonisation (including but not limited to phase change and thermochemical materials). Design, optimisation and manufacturing of the developed materials and their modules for integration into devices, based on optimal formulations. Establishment of cost-effective manufacturing process for the fabrication of the optimised materials and modules at scale, and validation of the process.
• Devices and Experiments: Design, modelling, optimisation, construction and experimental testing of devices containing the material modules for thermal, thermo-mechanical or thermochemical energy conversion and storage, and industrial decarbonisation at small lab and pilot scales. The experimental work involves close collaboration with other research team members. Validating the modelling results at the material module and the device levels under small laboratory, pilot and real-world scale operating conditions where the real-world scale device experiments involve collaboration with industrial sponsors.
• Interaction and Collaboration: Interact closely with the project team members and collaborators, including but not limited to those working on device and system integration, system modelling and optimisation, and system level experimental testing, to ensure smooth information and materials flows. Conduct data analysis and interpretation. And when needed, interact with collaborators and funders, and effectively and efficiently communicate the findings.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research in the area of thermal, thermo-mechanical and thermochemical energy conversion and storage, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Analyse and interpret data arising from modelling, simulation, and experimental studies.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding in materials, devices and systems for energy conversion, storage and industrial decarbonisation.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars and conferences.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods in energy materials, device design and system integration.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Collect research data using a variety of methods, including scientific experimentation, modelling, simulation, and literature reviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars, conferences and as posters.
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

Hold or be close to the completion of a PhD on a topic on materials and devices for thermal, thermo-mechanical and thermo-chemical energy conversion and storage, and industrial decarbonisation.

Good underpinning degree (2:1 and above) in relevant science and engineering disciplines, for example: thermal engineering, chemical and process engineering, energy engineering, physics and chemistry.

Proven track record in at least three of (i) formulation, optimisation, fabrication and characterisation of materials and materials modules for thermal, thermo-mechanical or thermo-chemical energy conversion and storage, and industrial decarbonisation; (ii) scale-up of material and material modules manufacturing; (iii) design, modelling, optimisation and construction of devices containing the formulated material modules; (iv) design, construction and experimental testing of the devices under a laboratory and/or a pilot scale system.

A high-level understanding of thermodynamics and/or transport phenomena in thermal, thermos-mechanical and thermochemical energy conversion and storage processes.

Hands on experiences and demonstrable proficiency in materials-related research tools including material thermal and physical characterisation using DSC, STA, XRD, XRT, SEM, FTIR, Raman, and particle sizer and morphology etc.

Proven hands-on experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling using relevant software tools such as ANSYS Fluent and COMSOL Multiphysics.

Track record of academic publications, delivery of project outcomes and outputs that are recognised within the field.

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.

High level analytical capability.

Strong problem-solving skills.

Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.

Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.

Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.

Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.

Proactively engaging and interacting with industrial and academic collaborators and stakeholders subject to confidentiality agreement should this be needed.

Preparing and giving presentations and/or contribute to presentations at national and/or international workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Liaising with the relevant external research community via seminars and conferences.

Proactively engaging in research dissemination, knowledge transfer, and potential commercial exploitation activities.

Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

DBS required.

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Tongtong Zhang, email: t.zhang.7@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.