Research Fellow in Computational Materials Chemistry - School of Chemistry - 101639 - Grade 7

Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to July 2026

Closing date: 1st January 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

The post holder will be required to carry out computational materials chemistry research focussed on understanding and predicting novel semiconductors, and in examining defects processes in these materials. Computational work will be performed in collaboration with experimental efforts, and so the post holder will also present results and contribute significantly to an interdisciplinary feedback loop.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 100 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential. With a strong focus on our four Research Themes of Energy, Sustainability, Environment and Health, and a number of interdisciplinary Interest Groups serving as testbeds to explore new and emerging areas of interest, we are a dynamic place to work. We have ambitious plans to expand our research activity and are in an exciting period of growth: major investment from the University has delivered a state-of-the-art molecular sciences research building. This investment builds on a major recent expansion of our academic staff and investment in our teaching and learning provision, with our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, which opened September 2018, already revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry.

The Scanlon Materials Theory Group (SMTG), led by Professor David O. Scanlon, is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow in Computational Materials Chemistry to computationally explore new semiconductors systems. The post holder will use cutting-edge ML/AI techniques combined with DFT to discover new materials, and provide guidance and mentorship to members of the SMTG, as well as initiate personal independent research. The position is fixed term through to 31 July 2026.

This post will bring opportunities for career development, enable you to realise your ambitions in research and teaching, and enhance your leadership and management skills. You will initiate, conduct and disseminate original research, which will have measurable outcomes reflected in your growing national reputation. Management and administration activities will allow you to make important contributions at School level and to managerial/leadership activities (e.g., working groups) across the wider University. 

We are a collegiate School community. You will demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with the School, ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.

Please attach to your application the following:

• CV (including full publication list and research capabilities)
• Highlight your top 3-5 publications with a brief statement as to their significance. 
• Contact details of 3 referees

Role Summary

• Devise, perform and supervise research projects and collect data in agreed areas to a high level of competency and quality
• Take part in collaborative research projects within and outside the group
• Project manage research activities to develop new ideas, directions, research objectives, techniques and methods in order to advance the group’s research and enhance its quality
• Play a role in setting the group culture and introducing new group members to all aspects of their role.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of the immediate and surrounding literature for both your own project and those more widely in the group.
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research.
• Analyse and interpret data generated from all aspects of the group’s work and where required develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Draft scientific papers and significantly contribute to the improvement of other scientific papers originating in the group.
• Disseminate research findings by oral and other presentation in a range of fora from group meetings to research seminars and conferences etc.

Main Duties

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

• To computationally investigate a range of semiconductor systems by analysing their electronic structure and defect chemistry. 
• To record, analyse and write up the results of the research in collaboration with a team of varied backgrounds.
• To contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to peer reviewed journals.
• To prepare progress reports on research for funding bodies as required.
• To contribute to the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals.
• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required.
• To undertake a limited amount of teaching in relation to subject area.
• To contribute to the induction and direction of other research staff and students as requested.
• Responsible for ensuring that equipment is safe and maintained in working order.
• The job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. 
• The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Computational Materials Chemistry or a related discipline
• Experience in Python Programming
• Expertise in Electronic structure analysis of solids
• Expertise in Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence approaches in Computational Materials Science
• Expertise in phonon calculations
• Experience of the VASP Code
• Experience of working with High-Performance Computing platforms
• Ability to analyse and write up data
• A strong publication track record
• Proven research skills in computational chemistry, particularly QM and hybrid density functional theory
• 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 Prof. David Scanlon, Professor of Computational Chemistry, email: d.o.scanlon@bham.ac.uk

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.