Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials
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 31 March 2028
Closing date: 3 March 2026
Background
We are looking for a research fellow with expertise in advanced manufacturing, especially additive manufacturing, such as powder bed fusion, direct energy deposition, physical metallurgy or advanced characterisation (microscopic or mechanical). The successful candidate will carry out research and manufacturing process evaluation to produce structural metallic materials. The applicant will work on a research project focussing on manufacturing and characterisation of metals and alloys for challenging environments including for aerospace and nuclear applications.
Role Summary
• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to management of project and research facility.
• Operate within area of specialism (manufacturing, characterisation and testing of high temperature metals and alloys)
• 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
Main Duties
• 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
• Contribute to teaching activities for undergraduate/graduate students if required.
• 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.
* These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.
Person Specification
• First degree in area of materials, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, solid state physics or a related discipline.
• Doctoral degree (such as PhD), or close to completion of a doctoral degree relevant to advanced manufacturing, physical metallurgy or advanced characterisation.
• A track record, or a demonstrable potential of high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
• High level experimental and analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant modelling tools, 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
An ideal candidate should have some or all of the following attributes:
• Experience in metal additive manufacturing using laser powder bed fusion and/or electron beam melting and/or powder processes, such as hot isostatic pressing, cold compaction.
• CAD experience
• Practical experience/knowledge of microstructural characterisation and mechanical testing
• Good organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good report writing skills and the ability to present results using Powerpoint.
Informal enquiries to Tony Tang (Assistant Professor
View our staff values and behaviours here
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.