Research Fellow (Circular Economy for Transport Solutions)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2027

Background

The Global Centre for Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) is recruiting a highly motivated researcher with a background in life cycle assessment applied to energy storage and/or battery supply chains, to join a successful team at the University of Birmingham.

In line with the principles of Net Zero Pollution, the primary aim of this role is to advance understanding of how a circular economy can be developed for the production and recycling of electric vehicle batteries, focusing on the growing waste streams from future battery production facilities. In this role, you will track the source and content of these wastes and quantitatively assess the wider environmental, social and technoeconomic impacts, using tools such as life cycle assessment and materials flow analysis. One key waste stream to analyse is that of production scrap, which can be recovered through a range of low impact recycling processes. Another waste stream comes from the chemicals used in battery production, which need to be recovered, purified and reused, following green chemistry principles. The analysis will include the specification of a hypothetical battery gigafactory, which recovers all of its waste streams and channels them back into new production processes, where possible. The case study region proposed for this is the West Midlands.

The position requires an individual with a high-level of analytical capability. Expertise in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Life cycle assessment,
• Life cycle social assessment,
• Techno-economic modelling, 
• Materials flow analysis,
• Energy storage or battery supply chain modelling, 
• Energy storage or battery production,
• Recycling processes.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to transport or energy systems, or energy storage or battery supply chains, or equivalent qualifications
• Background may be in quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research but should be able to effectively work across disciplines
• Demonstrable knowledge of life cycle assessment, and/or technoeconomic assessment and/or materials flow analysis, are desirable
• High level of analytical capability, with good knowledge of energy and/or transport infrastructure systems
• Experience in participatory methods and stakeholder engagement approaches would be an advantage
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly for academic and non-academic audiences
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and contribution to broader management/administration processes
• 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

Informal enquiries can be made to Jacqueline Edge, email: j.s.edge@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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