Research Fellow (Trefco)

Location: Birmingham

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to May 2025

Background

This Research Fellow Position will be appointed to work on the “TReFCo” Project. A collaboration between the University of Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements & Critical Materials and Swansea University. Details on the programme here.

Main Duties

• Assess recovered recycled materials that have passed through the novel TReFCo process.
• Research the performance of these materials, relative to the original materials used to make the devices from which they have been recycled.
• Assess the way in which the TReFCo process could contribute to new products that have been designed with recycling in mind using novel smart adhesives developed by the project.
• Devise tests and experiments to assess the value of the recovered material.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge of materials science in a way which develops new intellectual understanding about the TReFCo process.
• Disseminate research findings for publication and 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. 
• Collaborate with other researchers to develop strategies for incorporating the TReFCo process into a circular economy.
• 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

• First degree in area of specialism relevant to the TReFCo project and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area (e.g. A PhD in Chemistry/Materials Science/ Physics/Engineering or equivalent (or near to completion).
• A demonstrable ability to conduct research in line with the objectives of the project.
• Evidence of planning skills to contribute to the research project.
• A commitment to continuous professional development.
• 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. Experience of lab based chemical analytic techniques, strong background in materials characterisation and/or to contribute to life cycle analysis and techno-economic evaluation would be particularly desirable.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
• 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.

Informal enquires can be made to Dr. Gavin Harper, g.d.j.harper@bham.ac.uk or Professor Paul Anderson, p.a.anderson@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.

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