University of Birmingham
Research Fellow - School of Engineering - 107605 - Grade 8
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Position Details
School of Engineering
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is £47,389
Grade: 8
Part time (5.5 hours a week), fixed term contract up to January 2028
Closing date: 13th July 2026
Background
To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area of “Solar powered atmospheric water harvesting technology using advanced metal organic framework adsorbents for renewable water production in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)”.
The main purpose of this research fellow position will be to design, manufacture and test an innovative and sustainable adsorption system for atmospheric water harvesting using advanced metal organic framework material for operation in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
This will be accomplished through the advance thermal and mechanical simulation of adsorption systems and appropriate manufacturing techniques, as well as the application of innovative and compact heat exchangers. Full attention will also be given to the development of a representative prototype, carry out performance testing and validate the simulation. The researcher will also deliver the system to KSA, demonstrate its performance and train relevant personnel.
Summary of Role
- Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation
- Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes
- Contribute to the development of research strategies
- Publish results of own research
- Supervise PhD students
- Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership
- Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University
Main Duties/Responsibilities
To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:
- Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
- Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
- Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
- Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings
- Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
- Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
- Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
- Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
- Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
- Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
- Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding
- Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour in line with university policies
- Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document. [https://bham.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/HRDC/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={7c460d71-5114-45aa-b9dd-1692b59aeea4}&action=default&mobileredirect=true]
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Project Specification
- To carry out a comprehensive literature review of advanced Metal Organic Framework adsorbent materials that can be used in the development of atmospheric water harvesting system using advanced metal organic framework materials (MOFs).
- To characterise the adsorption properties of the selected MOFs with water to identify the best performing adsorbent material considering its cost. Then carry out thermodynamic modelling to determine the design specifications of the adsorption atmospheric water harvesting system.
- To develop efficient adsorber bed designs through the use of computational fluid dynamic techniques and experimental testing.
- To select the optimal design against a range of technical and commercial factors
- To be involved in establishing intellectual property rights.
- To evaluate appropriate manufacturing processes to develop a representative prototype of the proposed system. Also, develop the required test facilities and methods to evaluate the prototype performance.
- To carry out routine administrative tasks associated with specified research project, e.g. preparation of manuscripts for publication, organisation of project meetings and documentation.
- To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project both at UoB and at King Khalid University, KSA.
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Person Specification
- A PhD relevant to the research area, or equivalent PhD- level qualifications
- Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism
- Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
- Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
- Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
- Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity
- Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action
- Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document [https://bham.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/HRDC/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={7c460d71-5114-45aa-b9dd-1692b59aeea4}&action=default&mobileredirect=true].
Informal enquiries to Dr Raya Al-Dadah, email: r.k.al-dadah@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 [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/equality-diversity-inclusion].
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