Research Associate - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - 106940 - Grade 6 in Birmingham

Overview

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2028

Closing date: 24 February 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

Background

The recruited research associate will be working on the NERC Environmental Challenges grant “P-FASE: Advancing And Integrating Knowledge And Data On PFAS Sources, Fate And Risks For UK Environments.” In the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences research will be completed in the Water Sciences division, focusing on the fate and transport of Per-(poly)-fluorinated substances (PFAS). PFAS are a diverse set of chemicals with different structures and functional groups. There are currently major gaps in our knowledge of how different PFAS occur and behave in the environment. For example, we do not know all the sources of these chemicals; how their different properties affect how long they persist and transform; the presence and behavior of PFAS in the environment; and how they accumulate in and affect organisms. Fate and exposure experiments and modelling are essential approaches for predicting and assessing the movement and bioavailability of chemicals in the environment. The post holder will conduct laboratory and field analytical research to study the environmental fate and transport of different PFAS at surface water – sediment interfaces.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and/or projects
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to publications
• Work on Mesocosm experiments
• Support field campaigns to collect samples

Main Duties

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Analyse research data as directed
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Mesocosm experiment setup and operation
• Collection of simulate fate and transport experiments, sediment cores and water
• Analysis methods for pollutant identification
• Active field sampling (soil and groundwater)
• Design and conduct flume experiments and manipulations

Person Specification

• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• 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
• Knowledge of pollutant transport experiments
• Fate and transport modelling and measurements
• Fate processing experiments (flumes, columns)
• Toxicology
• Experience of mesocosm experiments
• Experience of fate and transport experiments
• Experience of fieldwork to collect samples for pollutant analysis

Desirable

• Experience in working with flumes and artificial rivers

Informal enquiries to Suman Hira, email: s.hira@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.