Research Fellow (Group Leader) in Computational Materials – School of Chemistry – 101636 – Grade 8 Full-time

Job Description

School of Chemistry, College on Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2028

Closing date: 2nd September 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area.

The School of Chemistry seeks to attract outstanding, inspirational and talented people, supporting them to succeed and celebrating their success. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The School of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, in recognition of its work in promoting women's careers in higher education. The University of Birmingham is a member institution of the Race Equality Charter, a Disability Confident Employer and contributes to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. We support flexible working and studying.

Our research is driven by four core themes—Energy, Sustainability, Environment, and Health—complemented by interdisciplinary Interest Groups, serving as catalysts for emerging ideas. This dynamic structure makes our School an exciting place to work and collaborate.

Major University investment in our subject enabled the 2024 opening of our state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Building. We recently completed the strategic expansion of our academic staff, and we continue to invest in teaching and learning excellence.

As part of our collegiate community, you will demonstrate academic citizenship by cultivating generous, respectful, and supportive working relationships. You will positively influence how others succeed, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our culture.

To initiate, undertake and lead original Computational Materials Chemistry research in the group of Professor David O. Scanlon.

To mentor, support and direct research of others within the group to solve problems and collaborate.

To provide leadership on broader scientific skills within the group (at all levels) including mentoring/supporting students, leading on administrative/organisational tasks and helping to develop writing and presentation skills.

To evaluate and provide constructive feedback on regular reports pertaining to the projects in the group and attend/contribute to regular project meetings.

To attend national and international conferences giving poster and oral presentations to discuss results of own and others' research.

To write papers and publish results of own and others' research for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals and draft grant proposals.

To play an active role in the Scanlon Materials Theory Group, participating in all group meetings and activities. You will (co)supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

Participate in collaborative meetings, both academic and industrial from yours and others' research, and work with the project collaborators.

Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement by participating in collaborative meetings, both academic and industrial from yours and others' research, and work with the project collaborators.

Develop and make substantial contributions to outreach/public engagement activities and teaching (tutorials, lectures, laboratory supervision) or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Devise, perform and supervise research projects and collect data in agreed areas to a high level of competency and quality.
• Lead on collaborative research projects within and outside the group.
• Project manage research activities to develop new ideas, directions, research objectives, techniques and methods in order to advance the group's research and enhance its quality.
• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support by developing proposals for research in collaboration with the Scanlon Materials Theory Group.
• Lead in setting the group culture and introducing new group members to all aspects of their role.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of the immediate and surrounding literature for both your own project and those more widely in the group.
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research.
• Analyse and interpret data generated from all aspects of the group's work and where required develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Draft scientific papers and significantly contribute to the improvement of other scientific papers originating in the group.
• Disseminate research findings by oral and other presentation in a range of fora from group meetings to research seminars and conferences etc.
• Demonstrate leadership through constructive criticism and questioning in group meetings and other suitable fora for scientific discussion and to benefit the general wellbeing of the group.
• Undertake management/administration arising from own and group research.
• Contribute to School research-related activities and research-related administration.

PhD in Computational Materials Chemistry or a related discipline.

Experience in python software development.

Extensive expertise in defect chemistry analysis.

Experience in cluster expansion calculations.

Experience in high throughput calculations.

Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.

Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to help others to improve writing; record of success in published papers.

Interest and passion for student mentoring to the benefit of the group's research and wellbeing.

Enthusiasm to lead and direct research across the scope of the group.

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.

Demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results

Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.

Ability to keep up to date with new developments in the fields relevant to own research projects as well as others.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.

Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines

Ability to write and give presentations to both national and international audience standard and communicate complex information clearly.

Ability to design projects, collaborate and lead on application based studies with the group.

Commitment to public engagement and outreach or similar activities.

Please attach to your application the following:1) CV (including full publication list and research capabilities.2) Highlight your top 3-5 publications with a brief statement as to their significance.3) Contact details of 3 referees.4) Cover Letter indicating how you meet all of the person specifications.

Informal enquiries to David Scanlon, email: d.o.scanlon@bham.ac.uk

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.