Research Fellow (Battery Recycling) - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 108039 - Grade 7

Position Details

School of Metallurgy and Materials 

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

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

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2029 

Closing date: 1^st November 2026

Background

The post is a fixed-term Research Fellow for the “SHREDDER” (Sustainable High-value Recovery via Engineered Deconstruction of Energy storage for Reuse) project funded by Innovate UK, a 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.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham will investigate the relationship between shredding conditions (mechanical inputs, process atmosphere, and moisture regime) and material outputs, using a purpose-built research shredder developed through the prior DEMO project. Findings will be translated by MTC into industrial-scale engineering designs and validated on Ecobat's operational recycling line at Darlaston, progressing the technology from laboratory concept (TRL~3) to industrial validation (TRL-7) over 36 months.

The postholder will work within the Energy Materials Group (EMG) and contribute to writing future bids; operating within area of specialism. They will analyse and interpret research findings and results; contribute to generating funding; and contribute to licensing or spin-out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and public understanding of the discipline.

Role Summary

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other battery recycling project researchers within the University of Birmingham and at other partners
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, and presentations
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• 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
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• 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), safety, and selective material liberation
• Investigate closed-loop wet shredding processes and additive use to promote graphite delamination and separation from cathode active material and metal fractions
• Characterise shredded cell components, black mass, and separated fractions, including establishing and operating new analytical capability (ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, and XRF) for compositional and microstructural measurement
• Generate validated datasets linking shredding parameters to safety, graphite yield, purity, and downstream metal fraction quality, for translation into industrial-scale design by MTC
• Collaborate with MTC and Ecobat to support translation of laboratory findings into deployable industrial processes
• Contribute to project reporting, milestone delivery, and dissemination to Innovate UK and project partners, including contributing to an inclusive working culture
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
• Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.

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, or 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, or 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
• Proven 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
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Informal enquiries to Rob Sommerville, email: [email protected] 

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.