Description
Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36130 to 45413 with potential progression once in post to 48149
Grade: 7
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to May 2027
Closing date: 25th May 2025
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years andweare equally proud to be recognised as a leading global want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond support them to succeed and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here todevelopthrough our sectorleading Birmingham Professional programmewhichprovides allprofessionalservices staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full almost 5000professionalservices jobs in a widerange of functionsin Edgbaston andin our campus inDubai there are plenty of opportunities foryou to be able to develop yourcareer at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we areand how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees andtothe success of the University and depending on the role we offer avarietyof flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible addition you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 dayspaid holidaya year one paid day a year for volunteering occupational sick pay and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus including main bus routes and a train station on campus we have a stateoftheart sports centre with pool shopsplaces to eat and drinkour own art gallery museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about the benefits of working for the Universityof Birmingham
Background
The University of Birmingham stands at the forefront of fusion engineering and advanced materials science actively engaging with both national fusion initiatives and private sector partners to realize the vision of commercial fusion energy. Our research is focused on solving the key structural and plasmafacing materials related issues to develop future fusion energy systems. The university interacts with the private fusion in several ways including through a prestigious Prosperity Partnership award with Tokamak Energy a worldleading private fusion company based in the UK
In collaboration with private fusion industry and several international partners we are excited to announce an opening for a research fellow to explore plasmamaterial interactions and the effect of extreme heat flux on the degradation of novel plasmafacing materials/joints. This role is pivotal in optimizing the design and functionality the plasmafacing regions of a centrecolumn shield needed for the success of future Spherical Tokamak (ST) designs.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in experimental research and be eager to examine the degradation processes that occur in fusionrelevant conditions. You will be responsible for conducting experiments that measure the changes in material properties due to but not limited to plasma exposure high heat flux thermomechanical loads elucidating the fundamental mechanisms at play. The findings from this research will directly inform the development of resilient materials critical for centrecolumn shield design. The position will strongly interface with Tokamak Energy to effectively transfer experimental data to the ongoing shield design activities for a fusion pilot plant.
Joining our team offers a unique opportunity to collaborate not only with Tokamak Energy but also with several prestigious research institutions worldwide including Forschungszentrum Jlich in Germany the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Orsay and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States.
As part of our dedicated group you will gain access to a wide array of stateoftheart facilities at the university and partner institutions enabling you to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in fusion technology.
Summary of Role
Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
Operate within area of specialism: Fusion Energy Nuclear engineering fusion/nuclear materials and joints plasmafacing components plasmamaterial interactions advanced characterization to name a few.
Analyse and interpret research findings and results
Contribute to generating funding
Contribute to licensing or spin out opportunities with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues asset or company sales IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
Main Duties/Responsibilities
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
Deliver cutting edge research in the specified area fusion & nuclear materials fusion energy plasmafacing components plasmamaterial interactions high heat flux testing advanced characterization.
Collect experimental research data; this may be through a variety of research methods such as scientific experimentation literature reviews.
Analyse and interpret data
Contribute to developing new models techniques and methods
Disseminating research results through recognised forms of output such as publications conferences and public engagement.
Support the aims of the collaboration with industry and international partners; including communications on advanced methods and techniques.
Develop or adapt techniques models and methods
Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
Undertake management/administration arising from research
Contribute to Departmental/School researchrelated activities and researchrelated administration
Contribute to writing bids for research funding
Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities that benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader
Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
Ensuring good report and management practices internally and with stakeholders; meeting attendance
Promotes equity and diversity values acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list.
Person Specification
Hold a PhD (or near to completion) in a relevant area: Fusion Energy Nuclear Materials Metallurgy Physics or Engineering.
The candidate is expected to be experienced in one or more of the following areas: nuclear materials plasmafacing components advanced characterization (transmission electron microscopy scanning electron microscopy diffraction techniques including XRD) plasmamaterial interactions high heat flux testing advanced manufacturing of plasmafacing materials .
High level analytical capability
Ability to communicate complex information clearly
Fluency in relevant models techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new methods
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
Coordinate 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 daytoday activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
Informal enquiries to Professor Arun Bhattacharya email:
View our staff values and behaviours here
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.
Key Skills
Bioinformatics,Genetics,R,Biochemistry,Cell Biology,Research Experience,Statistical Software,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Data Analysis Skills,Flow Cytometry,Microscopy
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly Salary Salary: 36130 - 45413 #J-18808-Ljbffr