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University of Birmingham

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Research Fellow in Battery Recycling and Shredding Processes University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

Degree Level

Postdoc

Field of study

Chemistry

Funding

Fixed-term Research Fellow post funded by Innovate UK through the SHREDDER project, a collaborative R&D programme led by Ecobat Solutions UK Ltd with the University of Birmingham and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Full-time Grade 7 role with starting salary normally £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822; contract runs up to September 2029.

Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Birmingham

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Keywords

Chemistry
Environmental Science
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
Industrial Engineering
Process Engineering
Materials Engineering

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About this position

Research Fellow (Battery Recycling) at the University of Birmingham, School of Metallurgy and Materials, within the Energy Materials Group (EMG).

This fixed-term post is part of the SHREDDER project (Sustainable High-value Recovery via Engineered Deconstruction of Energy storage for Reuse), an Innovate UK-funded collaborative R&D programme led by Ecobat Solutions UK Ltd with the University of Birmingham and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

The research focuses on battery recycling, especially the separation challenge in UK lithium-ion battery recycling. The successful candidate will investigate how shredding conditions affect material liberation and safety, including blade speed, geometry, process atmosphere, state-of-charge, and moisture regime. The role also includes work on closed-loop wet shredding, additive use, graphite delamination, and separation of graphite from cathode active material and metal fractions.

You will characterise shredded cell components, black mass, and separated fractions using analytical techniques such as ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, and XRF, and help generate validated datasets for translation into industrial-scale design by MTC. The post involves collaboration with industrial and academic partners and contributes to project reporting, milestone delivery, dissemination, and future funding bids.

Eligibility highlights: a Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline (or equivalent), and a PhD in a relevant area or near completion. Experience in mechanical shredding/comminution, particle separation, battery safety/abuse testing, and analytical characterisation is highly desirable.

Funding and terms: full-time Grade 7 fixed-term contract up to September 2029, with salary normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 and potential progression to £48,822.

Deadline: 1 November 2026. The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.

How to apply: Apply via the University of Birmingham careers portal using the job link. For informal enquiries, contact Rob Sommerville at [email protected].

Funding details

Fixed-term Research Fellow post funded by Innovate UK through the SHREDDER project, a collaborative R&D programme led by Ecobat Solutions UK Ltd with the University of Birmingham and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Full-time Grade 7 role with starting salary normally £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822; contract runs up to September 2029.

What's required

Applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree in a Science or Engineering discipline relevant to the project, or equivalent qualifications, and should hold or be close to completion of a PhD in materials recycling, battery manufacture, particle or process engineering, chemistry, or mechanical, electronic, or chemical engineering. Prior knowledge of mechanical shredding or comminution, particle/material separation, battery safety or abuse testing, and analytical characterisation (e.g. ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, XRF) is highly desirable, though training will be provided. Strong analytical ability, clear communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, coordination skills, resource management, and understanding of equality and diversity duties are expected.

How to apply

Apply through the University of Birmingham careers portal using the Apply Now link. Submit your application before the closing date and note that the vacancy may close early once enough applications are received. For informal enquiries, contact Rob Sommerville by email.

More information can be found here

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