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Research Fellow in Battery Materials Recycling (Lithium-Metal Batteries) University of Birmingham in United Kingdom
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Fixed-term Research Fellow post funded through HERMES, a 30-month Innovate UK-funded project led by Recyclus Group Ltd in partnership with the University of Birmingham. Full-time salary is normally £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822.
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Birmingham
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About this position
University of Birmingham is advertising a Research Fellow in Battery Materials Recycling within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the School of Metallurgy and Materials in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
This fixed-term post is part of HERMES (Hazardous Energy Recycling: Methods for Emerging Specialist Chemistries), a 30-month Innovate UK-funded project led by Recyclus Group Ltd in partnership with the University of Birmingham. The project focuses on developing and validating safe shredding and materials-recovery routes for lithium-metal batteries (including lithium-sulphur, lithium-thionyl chloride, and manganese-oxide systems), which currently lack a viable commercial recycling route in the UK.
The successful candidate will join the Energy Materials Group and work on passivation, discharge, shredding, and separation methods for reactive battery chemistries. Core research activities include experimental design, hazard and safety assessment, optimisation of shredding conditions, recovery of lithium/graphite/steel fractions, and data generation to support shredder redesign and scale-up. The role also contributes to life-cycle assessment, technical reporting, publications, conference presentations, and collaboration with industrial partners.
Eligibility highlights: a Bachelor's degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline is required, and candidates should hold or be near completion of a PhD in materials recycling, battery manufacture, minerals/process engineering, chemistry, or related engineering fields. Experience with mechanical shredding/comminution, particle separation, battery safety, hazardous chemistry, and analytical techniques such as ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, or XRF is highly desirable.
Funding and terms: full-time, fixed-term contract up to November 2028; salary normally £36,636 to £46,049 with progression potential to £48,822. Closing date: 1 November 2026.
How to apply: submit an application via the University of Birmingham careers portal. Informal enquiries can be sent to Rob Sommerville at [email protected].
Funding details
Fixed-term Research Fellow post funded through HERMES, a 30-month Innovate UK-funded project led by Recyclus Group Ltd in partnership with the University of Birmingham. Full-time salary is normally £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822.
What's required
Bachelor's degree in a Science or Engineering discipline relevant to the project, or equivalent qualifications. Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD relevant to materials recycling, battery manufacture, minerals or process engineering, chemistry, or mechanical, electronic or chemical engineering. Prior experience with mechanical shredding or comminution, particle/material separation, battery safety or hazardous chemistry handling, and analytical characterisation such as ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, or XRF is highly desirable. Strong analytical ability, clear communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, ability to coordinate work with others, resource planning, and understanding of equality and diversity duties are required.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Birmingham careers portal using the Apply Now link on the job page. For informal enquiries, contact Rob Sommerville at [email protected]. Submit before the closing date.
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