University of Birmingham
Research Fellow in Acoustofluidics - School of Chemistry - 107412 - Grade 7
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Job Description
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 £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression once in post to £48,822. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is £42,254.
Grade 7
Full Time, Fixed Term Contract for up to 12 months
Closing date: 30 July 2026
Background
We are seeking applications for a 12-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta’s group, and to specifically to develop systems for droplet generation, levitation and manipulation in 3D by shaping of ultrasound waves. Successful delivery of such systems will have revolutionary impact on drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and industrial biotechnology.
The post-holder will be based in the School of Chemistry. The School of Chemistry seeks to attract outstanding, inspirational and talented people, supporting them to succeed and celebrating their success. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The School of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, in recognition of its work in promoting women’s careers in higher education. The University of Birmingham is a member institution of the Race Equality Charter, a Disability Confident Employer and contributes to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. We support flexible working and studying.
Our research is driven by four core themes —Energy, Sustainability, Environment, and Health—complemented by interdisciplinary Interest Groups, serving as catalysts for emerging ideas. This dynamic structure makes our School an exciting place to work and collaborate. Major University investment in our subject enabled the 2024 opening of our state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Building. We recently completed the strategic expansion of our academic staff, and we continue to invest in teaching and learning excellence.
As part of our collegiate community, you will demonstrate academic citizenship by cultivating generous, respectful, and supportive working relationships. You will positively influence how others succeed, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our culture.
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Role Summary
- To undertake research into acoustic levitation systems including their design, finite element modelling, construction, characterisation, integration with optical detection, and application.
- To analyse and interpret research findings and results.
- To produce reports, presentations and publications in peer reviewed scientific journals.
- To present results at national and international conferences.
- To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- To undertake research into acoustic levitation systems including their design, finite element modelling, construction, characterisation, integration with optical detection, and application.
- To analyse and interpret research findings and results.
- To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects as requested; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof reading of papers and reports and to present results at national and international conferences.
- To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
- Undertake management/administration arising from research.
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- Completed a PhD in Engineering, or equivalent qualifications.
- Ability to design, build, and use ultrasonic and high voltage systems particularly, those for generation, manipulation and levitation of droplets and/or particles is required.
- Experience in modelling acoustics using finite element modelling packages such as COMSOL Multiphysics is highly desirable.
- Ability to design, build, and use optical and electronics instrumentation, and analytical systems is highly desirable.
- Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to learn new techniques.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- 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.
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Informal enquiries to Dr Ruchi Gupta, email: r.gupta.3@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.
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