Research Fellow in Battery Materials Recycling
Develop safe recycling methods for lithium-metal batteries to enable UK commercialisation of a first-of-its-kind processing capability.
Best for:Best for postdoctoral researchers with expertise in materials engineering, chemistry, or mechanical processing, seeking to contribute to sustainable energy solutions through innovative recycling technologies.
Overview
This fixed-term Research Fellow position at the University of Birmingham focuses on advancing safe and efficient recycling techniques for lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). The project, funded by Innovate UK, aims to address the UK’s lack of viable commercial recycling routes for LMBs, which pose significant fire and explosion risks. The successful candidate will work within the Energy Materials Group to design and validate experimental methods for passivation, discharge, shredding, and materials separation of reactive LMB chemistries. The role involves close collaboration with industrial partners to inform shredder redesign and scale-up, contributing to a sustainable and safe battery recycling infrastructure. The position offers hands-on research, interdisciplinary teamwork, and opportunities for publication and technical report preparation.
What you'll do
- Design and execute experimental protocols to characterise safe discharge and passivation methods for reactive lithium-metal battery chemistries.
- Investigate optimal shredding parameters and processing atmospheres to ensure safe handling of LMB cells.
- Develop and evaluate materials separation and recovery techniques, assessing efficiency and purity of recovered materials.
- Generate data to inform industrial shredder redesign and process scale-up in collaboration with Recyclus Group Ltd.
- Conduct safety and hazard assessments of materials and processes to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Contribute technical insights to life-cycle assessments of shredding and passivation routes.
- Prepare technical reports, academic publications, and conference presentations based on research findings.
- Support supervision of postdoctoral and technician staff, and coordinate daily laboratory operations.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in materials recycling, battery manufacture, minerals or process engineering, chemistry, or mechanical, electronic, or chemical engineering, or equivalent qualifications with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic and professional communication in a research environment.
Instruction: English
- Prior knowledge or experience in mechanical shredding, comminution processes, or particle/material separation techniques.
- Familiarity with battery safety protocols and handling of reactive/hazardous chemistries.
- Proficiency in analytical characterisation methods such as ICP-OES, SEM, XRD, or XRF.
- Strong analytical capability and ability to communicate complex technical information clearly.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and coordinating research efforts.
- No explicit nationality or residency restrictions mentioned.
- Applicants close to completing a PhD are encouraged to apply.
- No age or prior experience caps specified.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-01
Applicants must submit an electronic application online through the University of Birmingham’s job portal. The application process requires downloading the full job description and submitting the necessary documents. Informal enquiries can be directed to Rob Sommerville via email.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Full job description (downloaded from the portal)
- Bachelor’s and PhD transcripts (if applicable)
Contact
Rob Sommerville· Informal enquiries contact
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