Research Fellow - NMR - School of Chemistry - 108102 - Grade 7

Position Details

• School of Chemistry
• 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: 20th October 2026
• UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

As Research Fellow, you will apply nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and imaging to generate new knowledge and understanding of how ions are stored electrochemically in carbonaceous materials. As part of an interdisciplinary team within the group of Professor Melanie Britton at the University of Birmingham, and in collaboration with scientists from the Schools of Chemistry and Metallurgy and Materials, you will work to deliver the objectives of an Leverhulme Trust Research Grant “A unified model of electrochemical ion-storage in carbon”.

Role Summary

• The role involves:
• Working within the project team for the Leverhulme Trust-funded EPSRC “A unified model of electrochemical ion-storage in carbon”.
• Leading experimental materials research to develop and apply experiments to probe local structure using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, and develop local-structure-property relationships.
• Working across the discipline boundaries of materials chemistry, electrochemistry and NMR spectroscopy with the support of the wider project team.

Main Duties

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

• To develop and apply nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methodology with application to electrochemical ion storage and characterising porous materials
• To design and perform electrochemical ion storage experiments
• Operate and maintain nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemistry instrumentation
• To work with project supervisor, group members and project lead and co-investigators
• Attend regular project and group meetings and give research presentations
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings at progress review meetings with project supervisor, lead and co-investigators
• Supervise Masters and PhD students on research related work and provide guidance to students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, where appropriate, under supervision of project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews and researcher discussions
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering or cognate discipline.
• PhD (or near to completion) in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
• Experience with experimental NMR techniques and methods for charactering materials and an ability to contribute to developing new methods.
• Experience in pulse programme design desirable.
• Experience using electrochemical instrumentation desirable.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant theory, models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• 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 enquiries to Phoebe Allan, email: p.allan@bham.ac.uk 

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.