Research Fellow - School of Engineering - 105504 - Grade 7

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job description

Position Details

School of 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

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £37,174

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2028

Closing date: 6th April 2025

Background

An exciting opportunity to undertake research of the motion and adhesion of complex fluids on micro-structured surfaces.

The transport and adhesion of complex fluids on engineered surfaces – such as those of microfluidic chips, biomedical devices, and wind turbines – often involve the formation of small droplets, which can spontaneously interact with the surfaces. Therefore, prediction and evaluation of the transport properties of these droplets on surfaces are essential for designing self-cleaning surfaces and avoiding fluid-induced risks (contaminations and failures) in engineering applications critical to healthcare and infrastructure.

The Research Fellow will probe the kinetics of microphysical processes at the solid-liquid interface resulting from droplet-surface interactions. This will also include the development of low liquid-friction surface structures and functionalities for complex fluids.

This is a three-year research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The project involves the collaboration between University of Birmingham and University of Edinburgh.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• 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

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
• 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
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• PhD degree (or near to completion) or equivalent qualification that is relevant to the research area of this project, such as mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, chemical engineering
• Solid background in fabrication and characterisation of micro-structured surfaces
• Solid background in fluid dynamics, ideally in relation to droplet behaviours
• 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.

Informal enquiries to Dr Nan Gao, email: [e-mail] or telephone [phone]

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.