Research Fellow in Computational Materials Science – School of Chemistry – 106607 – Grade 7 Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Associate

School of Chemistry

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2028

Closing date: 8th February 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Research Group of Dr Adam Michalchuk, funded by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The position will be to develop and use computational models to explore the ultrafast processes that underpin the mechanochemical reactivity of energetic materials (EMs; explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics), and collect inelastic neutron scattering spectra to support model validation. The project will be in close collaboration with world-leading EM synthesis experts at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.

Role Summary:

• Work within the Michalchuk group's research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Work within and support computational materials modelling and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy activities of the group
• Work with local, national, and international collaborators to successfully deliver high quality research outcomes
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to disseminating research findings via appropriate platforms (such as conferences and academic publications)
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties:

• Take a prominent role in delivering the research goals of the group
• Conduct a research program, defined in agreement with the group
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding (including facility access)
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• 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
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, computer or numerical simulation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters, and for regular project updates to funders and collaborators
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, and in data security and research integrity, in all aspects of work
• Travel to national facility and research collaborator laboratories as necessary

Person Specification:

• The candidate should have, or be nearing completion of, a PhD (or equivalent) in computational materials chemistry/physics, or related relevant area.
• The candidate must have demonstrable experience working with high-performance computing infrastructure.
• The candidate must have a strong track record in programming, preferably in Python.
• The candidate should have demonstrable expertise in computational modelling of solids, preferably using density functional theory methods.
• Previous experience in the use and/or development of machine learned interatomic potentials would be seen as a significant asset.
• Previous experience of inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy (or similar) would be seen as favourable.

General:

• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• 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 Adam Michalchuk, email: a.a.l.michalchuk@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.