$ads={1}
Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 6, salary £31,396
Part Time (7.5 working hours per week)
Fixed Term contract up to December 2024
Closing date: 17th September 2023
Background
The University of Birmingham is part of the REBLEND (Recovering Battery-grade Materials from Upgraded Black Mass to Enable Remanufacturing of Automotive Battery Products in the UK) consortium which is aiming to scale up the lithium-ion battery recycling technologies developed by the Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries Project - ReLiB https://relib.org.uk/ .
Project REBLEND aims to further develop the processes to directly recycle and recover valuable cathode active materials from used lithium-ion batteries, and further aims to build the basis for a UK-based automotive battery recycling industry.
The post holder will be supporting specific operations of the REBLEND project within the Energy Materials Group at the University of Birmingham. The role will involve independently carrying out characterisation work to support the safe recycling of batteries, including disassembling, physical parameterisation, and chemical characterisation, data collection and entry, and cell making. The post requires knowledge and skills in the field of lithium-ion battery safety, disassembly and manufacturing. The duties require collaborative working and close liaison with academics, technical staff, and others. A broad range of technical skills are also required to complete the additional duties as described in the role.
The post holder will be a based in the School of Metallurgy and Materials, supporting day-to-day operations of the REBLEND project within the Energy Materials Group. The post holder will perform technical duties in laboratories. They will provide technical support to the battery recycling and the energy materials laboratories in the school, incorporating cell disassembly, physical parameterisation, chemical characterisation, data collection, data entry, and cell making.
The post holder will be expected to keep up to date with developments in the research areas covered, and how they may impact on cell recycling activities. The post requires knowledge and skills in the field of materials, materials handling, and lithium-ion battery safety. A broad range of technical skills are also required to complete the additional duties as described in the role.
The duties require collaborative working and close liaison with academics, technical staff, students, external companies, and contractors.
Role Summary
The role is for a battery recycling Research Associate to disassemble, characterise and remanufacture li-ion batteries as part of the REBLEND project. The project encompasses the recycling of li-ion batteries through a variety of routes, including direct recycling. The project involves collaboration with researches across different universities and interfacing with industry.
You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to independently use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise and contribute to publications.
Main Duties
- Support the activities of the REBLEND project:
- Independently disassemble, characterise and record all aspects of a cell so that physical parameters can be catalogued and material flow can be monitored.
- Independently diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to characterisation techniques and experiments.
- Reconfigure cell disassembly procedures to adapt to variations in Li-ion battery feedstocks.
- Independently carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
- You will need to maintain accurate records of all characterisation techniques you carry out, including results.
- Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
- Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
- Analyse research data as directed.
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
- Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods.
- Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
- 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.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering discipline relevant to the project or equivalent qualifications.
- Practical experience in physical processing of wastes; electrochemical battery testing protocols, is highly desirable, however training will be given to the right candidate in these areas.
- Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively.
- Ability to access and organise resources successfully. 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 enquires to Professor Emma Kendrick, email: E.kendrick@bham.ac.uk , telephone: +44 (0) 121 4146730 or Dr Rob Sommerville, email: r.sommerville@bham.ac.uk , telephone: +44 (0) 121 4149188.
Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.
