University of Birmingham
3 days ago
Senior Research Technician in Battery Recycling and Energy Materials University of Birmingham in United Kingdom
Degree Level
not provided
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
This is a full-time, fixed-term technical staff position at Grade 5, running until October 2028. The full-time starting salary is normally £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression in post to £35,883. No scholarship or student funding is offered.
Deadline
Nov 8, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Birmingham
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About this position
The University of Birmingham is recruiting a Senior Research Technician to support battery recycling research in the Energy Materials Group within the School of Metallurgy and Materials. The position is based at the Edgbaston campus in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and is a full-time, fixed-term appointment until October 2028.
The technician will support the HERMES project, funded by Innovate UK and led by Recyclus Group Ltd. HERMES is developing safe shredding and materials-recovery methods for reactive lithium-metal batteries, including lithium-sulphur, lithium-thionyl chloride, and manganese-oxide chemistries. Work will address battery discharge, disassembly, passivation, mechanical processing, materials separation, purification, characterisation, emissions monitoring, and experimental data management.
Responsibilities include safely handling reactive lithium-metal and lithium-ion cells; operating laboratory-scale shredding and sorting equipment under controlled or inert atmospheres; performing sieving, density, and magnetic separation; preparing recovered materials; and using techniques such as SEM, XRD, XRF, and ICP-OES. The role also involves maintaining laboratory records, supporting equipment and facility management, training colleagues and students, and promoting rigorous health and safety compliance.
Candidates should have substantial laboratory-based technical experience or an appropriate qualification, practical knowledge of scientific methods, and experience with laboratory equipment, chemical handling, fume cupboards, inert gases, and pressurised gas systems. Knowledge of battery safety, mechanical materials processing, materials separation, and analytical characterisation is desirable, with relevant training available. GCSE-level mathematics and English, strong communication skills, teamwork, organisation, and familiarity with relevant legislation and safety procedures are required.
The salary is normally £30,062–£31,900, with potential progression to £35,883. Applications should be submitted through the University of Birmingham careers portal by 8 November 2026.
Funding details
This is a full-time, fixed-term technical staff position at Grade 5, running until October 2028. The full-time starting salary is normally £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression in post to £35,883. No scholarship or student funding is offered.
What's required
Applicants should have extensive relevant laboratory workplace experience, an appropriate professional qualification, or a degree in a relevant subject, together with extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work and familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment. Essential requirements include practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods; laboratory health and safety experience, including fume cupboards, inert gas supplies, and pressurised gas bottles and regulators; safe chemical handling and storage; strong communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to organise workloads, work with minimal supervision, collaborate in a team, uphold health and safety and equality and diversity policies, understand relevant legislation, and use common software packages. GCSE level 2 or equivalent in mathematics and English is required. Knowledge of batteries and battery safety, mechanical materials processing or separation, and analytical techniques such as SEM, XRD, XRF, and ICP-OES is desirable. A full UK driving licence and forklift licence would be beneficial but are not essential.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Birmingham's online careers portal using the 'Apply Now' option for Job Identification 10219. Submit application materials that accurately reflect your own experience and communication style before the closing deadline.
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