Main Duties

• To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:
  • Devise, perform, and supervise research projects and collect data in agreed areas to a high level of competency and quality.
  • Lead on collaborative research projects within and outside the group.
  • Project manage research activities to develop new ideas, directions, research objectives, techniques, and methods to advance the group’s research and enhance its quality.
  • Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support by developing proposals for research in collaboration with the Scanlon Materials Theory Group.
  • Lead 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.
  • Demonstrate leadership through constructive criticism and questioning in group meetings and other suitable fora for scientific discussion and to benefit the general wellbeing of the group.
  • Undertake management/administration arising from own and group research.
  • Contribute to School research-related activities and research-related administration.

Person Specification

• PhD in Computational Materials Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Experience in Python software development.
• Extensive expertise in defect chemistry analysis.
• Experience in cluster expansion calculations.
• Experience in high throughput calculations.
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to help others to improve writing; record of success in published papers.
• Interest and passion for student mentoring to the benefit of the group’s research and wellbeing.
• Enthusiasm to lead and direct research across the scope of the group.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, both as a leader and team member, on research programmes.
• Demonstrated success in planning, undertaking, and project managing research to deliver high-quality results.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
• Ability to keep up to date with new developments in the fields relevant to own research projects as well as others.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary project area of research.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement, and deliver programmes of research work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to write and give presentations to both national and international audience standard and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to design projects, collaborate, and lead on application-based studies with the group.
• Commitment to public engagement and outreach or similar activities.

Application Requirements

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.
• Cover Letter indicating how you meet all of the person specifications.

Informal enquiries to: David Scanlon, email: d.o.scanlon@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

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.