Research Fellow – School of Physics and Astronomy – 56941 – Grade 7 Full-time

Job Title

School of Physics and Astronomy

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 September 2027

Closing date: 15th March 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. Specifically:

Experimental low-temperature physics focussed primarily on growth of crystals of new 2D materials via chemical vapour transport or flux methods. Handling of hazardous chemicals and running chemical processes, shaping quartz at high temperatures, programming furnaces and carrying out a suite of characterisation measurements on the final products of growth. Hands-on experiments & development of capabilities, and opportunities for travel to international facilities.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Designing and developing the experimental apparatus
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• 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
• Disseminating research findings (publications, seminars, posters)
• Supervising work of other people with different level of experience – from high school to PhD students
• Contributing to School activities

Main Duties

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

• To initiate, undertake and direct original research into the crystal growth of 2D materials and their characterisation
• To project-manage and lead on the group's collaboration with industry partners, taking ownership of the day-to-day relationship and anticipating next directions
• To support and lead research within the group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group
• To provide leadership on broader scientific skills within the group (at all levels) including mentoring students, leading on administrative/organisational tasks and helping to develop writing and presentation skills
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• 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, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• 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
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Experience with crystal synthesis, characterisation measurements such as X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, magnetometry
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• 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
• Respect for others and ability to work cohesively in a diverse team