POSITION DETAILS

School of Chemical Engineering
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2027
Closing date: 4th August 2025
First round interview scheduled: 18th August 2025
Final round interview scheduled: 22nd August 2025

ABOUT KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme is a government-funded technology transfer initiative that supports partnerships between business and universities, placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects. Further information is available at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/ktp

QUALIFICATIONS:

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications/experience

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• A solid background in fundamentals related to proton exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolysers
• A high level of fabrication skills in catalyst coated membrane / membrane electrode assemblies, and single cell testing skills including polarisation curve, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cycling voltammetry
• A high level of knowledge in surface engineering, materials formulation, characterisation and optimisation
• Demonstrable prior experience and track record in areas closely related to the main research responsibilities
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• 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

ROLE SUMMARY

The post holder will carry out research to understand and establish a new structure-property relationship, then to develop matched surface modification and post treatment processes for gas diffusion layers (GDLs) based on recycled carbon fibres, and also harmonise operation protocols for water electrolysers and fuel cells. The research also includes the economic and life cycle analysis, and marketing plan of the fabricated GDL product, as well as identify the potential risks associated with the workplan and contingency plan.
The KTP associate will be required to work closely together with other colleagues from both Du’s group and Gen2Carbon, and work as a bridge to link the requirements of the company with the knowledge base partner. The associate also needs to work together further with the University of Birmingham Enterprise Ltd. to deal with the potential IP generated from this KTP project.

MAIN DUTIES

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

• 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.
• Interact with both academic and industrial collaborators in the project teams, and building internal & external contacts and networks
• Help with training Master and PhD students and other group members who are working on similar areas
• Supervise student’s projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels