Research Fellow (Life Cycle Assessment of Battery Recycling) School of Metallurgy and Materials 106978 Grade 8

Position Details

School of Metallurgy and Materials

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 47389 to 56535 with potential progression once in post to 63606

Grade: 8

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to March 2028

Closing date: 5th March 2026

Background

This post will be part of the Faraday Institutions ReLiB project on the recycling of lithium-ion and next generation batteries. The ReLiB consortium has successfully embedded Life Cycle thinking highlighting the need for tracking environmental and economic impacts across the project and developing a common understanding of the requirements for quantifying inputs and outputs from all steps within ReLiB processes. This momentum will continue to drive the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and TechnoEconomic Analysis (TEA) with regular workshops being held to remind ReLiB researchers of the need for these assessments and to teach them new sustainability concepts.

Direct recycling processes such as those developed by the ReLiB consortium are well suited to the recovery of battery production scrap: a growing waste stream in the developing battery manufacturing industry. The effective recovery of this waste materials is a key goal for sustainable development of the battery industry and the ReLiB team are making good progress in developing these techniques however the environmental impacts and cost of the recovery processes themselves must be assessed to ensure their suitability.

In this role you will analyse the types of production scrap that emerge from production processes and identify effective recycling routes for each drawing on those already developed by the ReLiB team or within the literature. You will perform LCA/TEA calculations on the scrap recycling processes developed within the ReLiB consortium providing comparisons between alternative processes and considering the suitability of each process to end-of-life (EoL) battery the future it is expected that scrap rates will diminish as EoL streams grow and synergies between scrap and EoL recycling must therefore be maintained so that a smooth transition is possible. You will define future scenarios for scrap and EoL waste streams prioritising the compatibility of scrap recycling processes for EoL streams.

In addition you will assess the impacts associated with not recovering scrap or other related waste streams in order to highlight recycling benefits.

Role Summary

Work within specified research grants and projects.
Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation.
Plan design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes.
Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
Publish results of own research.
Contribute to the development of research strategies.
Contribute to the supervision of PhD students.
Contribute to generating funding.
Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership.
Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer enterprise business engagement public engagement activities widening participation school outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include:
Deciding in consultation with the principal investigator and others as appropriate the most appropriate way of undertaking the specified research activities.
Developing research objectives and proposals for own or joint research within the scope of the research defined below.
Contributing to deciding what information to include in a bid for research funding and how to present the bid to maximise the likelihood of securing the funding.

Scope of the role:
Work closely with the ReLiB scientists to measure their life cycle inventories provide LCA calculations and suggest ways to make their processes even more sustainable.
Assess the scale and content of waste streams from future battery production facilities with a particular focus on production scrap.
Track waste from source to reprocessing using materials flow analysis.
Quantitatively assess the environmental social and technoeconomic impacts of recovery processes developed within the ReLiB consortium using established life cycle methods.
Similarly assess the impacts of not recovering these waste streams using established life cycle methods.
Analyse and identify any synergies between production scrap and end-of-life battery waste streams.
Research Skills:
Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.
Collect and curate research data collected through a variety of research methods such as direct scientific experimentation literature reviews and research interviews.
Store this data in a secure and accessible manner.
Analyse and interpret data.
Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.

Dissemination Skills:
Decide in collaboration with co-authors which aspects of the research findings to include in a presentation or a publication and how to convey the findings.
Present high-quality findings in publications and conference proceedings.
Present research outputs to academic and non-academic audiences at UoB national and/or international conferences including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for example at seminars and as posters.
Citizenship:
Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline.
Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader.

Planning & organising:
Project manage research activities including dealing with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
Contribute to the planning and organising of the ReLiB research programme.
Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort as well as to engage relevant expertise across the University and with external partners.
Undertake management/administration arising from research.

Person Specification

First degree in area of specialism and normally a higher degree relevant to either battery supply chains recycling processes or life cycle assessment or equivalent qualifications.
Background may be in quantitative qualitative or mixed-methods research but should be able to effectively work across disciplines.
Demonstrable knowledge of life cycle assessment and/or technoeconomic assessment and/or materials flow analysis are desirable.
High level of analytical capability with good knowledge of batteries/related technology manufacture or recycling and/or environmental impact assessment methodologies.
Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models techniques and methods.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly for academic and non-academic audiences.
Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
Understanding of and contribution to broader management/administration processes.
Experience of championing Equality Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
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 Jacqueline Edge email:

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.