Research Fellow - School of School of Metallurgy and Materials - 105004 - Grade 7 in London

School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

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 October 2027

Closing date: 14th January 2026

Background

The University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to contribute to the creation of knowledge, in terms of chemistry and microstructural effects on the radiation tolerance and integrity of fusion-relevant austenitic stainless steels, by combining ion irradiation experiments at reactor-relevant temperatures with an in-depth microstructural characterization and mechanical testing of the virgin and irradiated materials. This work will be under the supervision of Prof. Enrique Jimenez-Melero, UKAEA Joint Chair in Materials for Fusion, whose fusion materials research group focuses on developing new mechanistic understanding of radiation effects in structural materials for fusion power plants, and to link those effects to the material's mechanical performance and environmental degradation processes under fusion plant service conditions.

This new experimental knowledge is used as key input in model validation and materials qualification, and also fed back to material selection campaigns, manufacture and joining. Our work involves:

• Designing dedicated sample environments and experimental protocols for irradiation experiments using accelerator-based radiation sources.
• Characterization of the damaged structures by a palette of complementary techniques, that includes analytical electron microscopy, positron spectroscopy, neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering.
• Thermo-mechanical and corrosion testing, especially while monitoring in situ the microstructure evolution.
• Manufacture and, where needed, weld metallic materials and structures for fusion technologies.

The post holder will be fully embedded in the fusion materials group of Prof. Enrique Jimenez-Melero and will be interacting with the Materials Business Unit at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) have been used in core reactor and primary loop components for decades in the nuclear industry, and they are currently considered as viable solutions for potential use in the divertor, blanket and vacuum vessel of nuclear fusion plants. This is primarily due to their high mechanical strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures, together with their tolerance against corrosive media and relatively good weldability.

However, ASSs experience detrimental performance effects under irradiation at intermediate temperatures, i.e. radiation-induced swelling, irradiation creep and, depending on the steel chemistry and local conditions, phase instabilities and local chemical redistributions, induced or enhanced by irradiation. In the past, several novel ASS grades and thermo-mechanical processes have been explored to enhance the steel performance at intermediate irradiation temperatures, coupled to limited and simplified materials testing. It is therefore the aim of the project to assess the potential synergistic effects of radiation fields and mechanical loads on the mechanical performance and swelling behaviour of austenitic stainless steels in fusion-relevant conditions.

The post holder will lead the design and realization of targeted ion irradiation experiments, benchmarking with ongoing neutron irradiation campaigns where relevant and depending on material availability, and thereupon the characterization and testing of selected austenitic stainless steels. The main characterization techniques will be scanning and transmission electron microscopy for local microstructural and chemical evaluation, and where necessary small-angle scattering for average characteristics of the second phase particle population. Work with radioactive materials, either from proton or neutron irradiation experiment, is expected to take place by the post holder, primarily at the Materials Research Facility at UKAEA site.

They will also have opportunities to develop longer-term career prospects, by learning new scientific skills, making funding applications and fellowships, supervision/teaching opportunities, attending relevant training courses and conferences, and participating in collaborative networks and academic/industrial secondments.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grant: UKAEA Chair project in Birmingham, led by Prof. Enrique Jimenez-Melero, in support of the steel research activities at the Materials Business Unit of the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
• Operate within area of specialism (i.e. design and realization of targeted ion irradiation experiments, benchmarking with ongoing neutron irradiation campaigns where relevant and depending on material availability, and analyse the radiation damage effects and potential impact on material performance).
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results, and present those at regular progress meetings with relevant UKAEA staff, and at relevant scientific conferences related to radiation science, steel metallurgy and/or fusion materials research.
• Contribute to writing grant proposals and generating funding.
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the nuclear fusion energy and technologies.

Main Duties

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

• Design and perform targeted irradiation experiments of fusion-relevant austenitic stainless steels using intense ion beams produced by linear accelerator and cyclotron sources.
• Measure by gamma spectroscopy, the isotope generation by nuclear reactions between the ion beam and the constituents of the austenitic steel, and predict potential sample activations.
• Characterize by analytical electron microscopy, and if needed also by small-angle neutron scattering, and mechanical testing of virgin and irradiated steels, including those that may have become radioactive as a consequence of ion irradiation.
• Liaise with other facilities and groups at national and international level involved in (ion or neutron) irradiation campaigns of nuclear (metallic) materials.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Disseminate the results at progress meetings of the Materials Business Unit at UKAEA and at relevant scientific events, and also in the form of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals of high impact in the field.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• 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.
• 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; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars 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

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications, or be close to completion.
• Awareness of the basics of fusion energy generation, emerging technologies and related challenges in structural materials for fusion environments.
• Knowledge of physical metallurgy of steels, including stainless steels.
• Awareness of thermo-mechanical processing of metallic materials.
• Expertise in using radiation sources to irradiate nuclear materials in simulated reactor conditions.
• Use of advanced characterization tools to assess radiation damage in metallic materials, especially analytical electron microscopy.
• Experience in mechanical testing of materials, and knowledge of mechanical behaviour of metallic materials.
• Familiarization with the principles of radiation protection, and the handling and use of radiation sources for research purposes including activated materials.
• Good interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide range of people as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-partner team.
• Ability to work independently and pro-actively with minimal direction and supervision, with efficient planning and prioritising the own workload to meet deliverables and other project deadlines.
• A commitment to safe working practices.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
• Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• 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.

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.