Research Fellow (SCREAM)

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

The aim of this role is to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of   activities within the UKRI funded project “Scream”. The successful applicant will work with the Scream consortium and will be responsible for strip casting of rare earth neodymium iron boron alloys from a range of secondary feedstocks. They will be trained on the bespoke strip casting facility at the University of Birmingham and explore the microstructure and yield losses of NdFeB alloys produced from secondary materials in the magnetic materials group.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with colleagues at all Scream partner institutions to fulfil the project targets set out within the work package descriptions.
• Analyse a range of gas atomised NdFeB powders produced by CEIT as a feedstock for primary production of HDDR powder.
• Analyse a range of end-of-life sintered NdFeB magnets from wind turbine applications and determine suitable processes for removing the magnets from their encapsulation.
• To develop highly coercive NdFeB powder using the HDDR process by optimisation of the sample preparation and HDDR process parameters. 

• Strip casting of rare earth neodymium iron boron alloys from a range of secondary feedstocks
• Produce bespoke alloys from primary materials at targeted compositions, to be blended into secondary powders in a later process to produce sintered NdFeB magnets.

• Disseminate research findings for journal publication, as well as additional patents describing the novel approach in the utilisation of recycled NdFeB magnets.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• 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.

Person Specification

• Good first degree in relevant subject
• Completed, or near completion of a PhD in relevant subject (or be in possession of equivalent research experience)
• Strong experimental background and understanding in the following areas:
• Production techniques of NdFeB type magnets;
• Working with hydrogen at room and elevated temperatures;
• Hydrogen processing of NdFeB magnets;
• Hydrogen decrepitation of end-of-life sintered magnets as an extraction tool;
• Purification of hydrogen decrepitated powders using mechanical methods;
• Measurement of physical and magnetic properties of magnetic materials;
• Scanning electron microscopy of hydrogen-containing materials;

• Experience at postgraduate level of handling NdFeB powders, alloys and magnets.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button above or visit our careers website; https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/1155/?utm_medium=jobshare quoting the appropriate job reference number.

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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

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