Research Fellow School of Engineering 106608 Grade 7

Position Details

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36636 to 46049 with potential progression once in post to 48822

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7 salary 36636.

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closing date: 2nd December 2025

Background

The University of Birmingham is seeking a Research Fellow to create knowledge by undertaking a range of activities within theresearch group of Dr Yueting Sun (). You will be part of an interdisciplinary team working on the prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Nanofluidic energy absorption of Metal-Organic Frameworks and expected to achieve high-quality scientific outputs (e.g.Nature materials 20(7): 1015-1023).

Our aim is to develop the science and applications of nanoporous materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for mechanical energy absorption. MOFs can offer tiny hydrophobic pores comparable in size to water molecules. Squeezing liquid water into these nanopores can create large solid-liquid interfaces and dissipate substantial mechanical energy. Flexible MOFs can alsohave structural transitions under mechanical pressure. Mechanical energy absorption can be amplified by their large surface area and porosity resulting in much higher efficiency than that of conventional materials (10.1039/).

If you are interested in engineering nanoporous materials for this application please apply! You will aim to understand the intriguing phenomena of water adsorption and structure transition in hydrophobic nanoporous materials under high pressure by conducting in-house experiments and in-situ experiments at central facilities and to use this knowledge to guide the development of engineering applications.

You willbenefit from theNanoporous Materials and Mechanics Laboratorya new and unique facility for chemical synthesis and mechanical characterisation as well as excellent intellectual support from different disciplines. You will be based at the School of Engineering but work in close collaboration with colleagues from the School of Chemistry central facilities (e.g. Diamond ESRF ISIS) and world-leading partners. Supported by the group the wider team and the fantastic MOF community in Birmingham you will have the opportunity to shape our research and develop your own research career in the field.

You will also be supported in your professional and career development including dedicating your time to training in areas that address your needs (e.g. leadership entrepreneurship public engagement) and receiving regular development reviews. These are in addition to research leadership development (e.g. fellowship application conference and network academic or industrial secondment supervision and teaching) providing you with the opportunities to pursue a wide range of careers.

You will be joining a group that attracts people from diverse disciplines (e.g. mechanics engineering chemistry materials science) all of whom are enthusiastic about the research we are doing! We are proud of the diversity that inspires interesting ideas and excellent science and we aim to develop it further across all aspects. We also strive for a supportive and inclusive culture that empowers every individual to be their best and for a healthy environment including flexible policies to support better work-life balance.

We are based inBirmingham one of the top 100 universities in the world. Youll be part of a diverse international community in avibrant and exciting city right at the heart of the UK. Our staff have access to excellent facilities a generous range of staff benefits and a supportive culture especially for early-career researchers.

Role Summary

• Create knowledge by undertaking a range of activities within theUKRI Future LeadersFellowship
• Synthesise the engineering and chemistry research in the group to accelerate interdisciplinary outputs
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating projects and funding
• Contribute to maximising research impact
• Contribute to effective project management
• Contribute to an inclusive collaborative supportive research culture

Main Duties

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

• Synthesise the engineering and chemistry sides of the research work in the group to accelerate interdisciplinary outputs from the project and strengthen our interdisciplinary collaborations internally and externally
• Conduct and manage in-house experiments and experiments at central facilities including experimental design and the collection analysis and interpretation of research data to develop new intellectual understanding
• Contribute to developing new methods identifying new material candidates making suggestions to other group members etc.
• Disseminate research findings through high-quality publications research seminars etc.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding which may include the drafting of applications for peer-reviewed beamtime
• Contribute to maximising research impact to benefit potential research users including public engagement or enterprise activities related to the research
• Undertake management arising from research including contributing to the planning and organising of the project co-ordinating own work with others and identifying and dealing with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to research-related activities and administration in the group department and school includingsupporting the day-to-day running of the group and lab
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to achieve the project objectives who may come from different disciplines and backgrounds
• Supervise and support students staff and collaborators on research-related work
• Take part in continuous professional and career development in areas like leadership communication entrepreneurship and public engagement which will be supported and reviewed by the group aiming to develop own research identity and network towards an independent researcher

Person Specification

• A PhD degree (or near to completion) or equivalent qualifications in a relevant research area e.g. engineering chemistry material science physics
• Interdisciplinary skills set across engineering and chemistry ideally in experimental mechanics and porous materials (e.g. MOFs COFs zeolites) with experience or knowledge in both mechanical characterisation (or high-pressure techniques) and material synthesis (hydrothermal or solvothermal)
• Familiarity with synchrotron experiments or experience in applying for central facilities access and managing beamtime experiments
• Knowledge of in-situ techniques such as X-ray diffraction and imaging that can be applied to investigate structural transition and material behaviours under static or dynamic mechanical conditions.
• Experience in various material characterisations and interest in developing new methods including bringing existing techniques to a new field
• A track record of high-quality research outputs and a demonstrable commitment to research excellence
• Experience of or interest in supervising and mentoring junior researchers and students including those from different backgrounds
• Collaborative attitude and willingness to work in the broader research team
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a diverse audience
• Ability to contribute to the development of new research projects
• Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of research including the broader management/administration processes
• Understanding of a positive research culture and EDI (Equality Diversity and Inclusion)
• Motivation and plan to develop themselves to be a future research leader in their field

Informal enquiries to Dr Yueting Sunemail: or telephone: 0 ()

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 everyoneon our website.