Research Fellow (Battery Shredding & Separation – SHREDDER)

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

Fixed Term Contract until September 2029

The Energy Materials Group (EMG) at the University of Birmingham is seeking a motivated researcher to join the “SHREDDER" (Sustainable High-value Recovery via Engineered Deconstruction of Energy storage for Reuse) project, an Innovate UK-funded collaborative research and development programme led by Ecobat Solutions UK Ltd, in partnership with the University of Birmingham and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

SHREDDER addresses a critical separation challenge in UK lithium-ion battery recycling: current mechanical shredding processes produce mixed "black mass" in which graphite and metals are contaminated and difficult to separate, resulting in significant loss of recoverable material value. The project reconceptualises shredding from a simple size-reduction step into an active, parameter-controlled separation process, enabling selective liberation of high-value materials at source.

As part of this role the postholder will work within EMG, analysing and interpreting research findings, generating funding, and supporting commercialisation activities.

A background in science or engineering — particularly with experience in shredding/comminution, particle separation, battery safety, or materials characterisation — is highly desirable, however full training will be given to the right candidate.

Main Responsibilities

• Operate and further develop the bespoke instrumented research shredder, with due regard to safety, to investigate the relationship between shredding conditions (blade speed, geometry, process atmosphere, state-of-charge, moisture regime) and selective material liberation
• Investigate closed-loop wet shredding processes and additive use to promote graphite delamination from cathode active material and metal fractions
• Characterise shredded cell components, black mass, and separated fractions, including establishing and operating new ICP-OES, SEM, XRD and XRF analytical capability
• Generate validated datasets linking shredding parameters to graphite yield, purity, and downstream metal fraction quality, for translation into industrial-scale design by MTC
• Collaborate closely with MTC and Ecobat to support translation of laboratory findings into deployable industrial processes
• Contribute to project reporting, milestone delivery, and dissemination requirements to Innovate UK and project partners, and support an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a Science or Engineering discipline relevant to the project, or equivalent qualifications
• Hold, or be close to the completion of, a PhD in an area relevant to materials recycling, battery manufacture, particle or process engineering, chemistry, mechanical, electronic, or chemical engineering
• Prior knowledge, experience and achievements in mechanical shredding or comminution processes, particle/material separation techniques, battery safety or abuse testing, and analytical characterisation (e.g. ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, XRF) is highly desirable, however training will be given to the right candidate in these areas
• Demonstrably high level of: analytical capability; ability to communicate complex information clearly to a diverse audience; ability to work in an interdisciplinary team; ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Rob Sommerville (R.Sommerville@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.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

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.

Advert information