Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials
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
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2028
Closing date: 29th April 2026
Background
This post will support activities focused on Metamaterials Manufacturing within the EPSRC UK Metamaterials Network Plus (UKMMN). Founded in 2021, UKMMN connects academia, industry, governmental agencies and other professional bodies to enable the full utilisation of the UK’s metamaterials research and exploitation capabilities, from fundamental science to market-leading technology. Currently led by a collaborative team from the Universities of Exeter, Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield, and St Andrews, the NetworkPlus is funded to support early stage and translational research projects, to hold a wide range of networking events and research conferences, and to carry out other activities supporting metamaterials expertise in the UK.
The post holder will report directly to the joint lead of the Network, Dr Claire Dancer, and will be based within the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham. We are looking for an individual with experience in applied research in manufacturing or a related discipline who is a strong communicator, highly mobile to travel to relevant facilities in the UK and elsewhere, and able to work collaboratively with the network management team (primarily based at the University of Exeter) and other collaborators. The role will involve surveying and synthesizing information gathered across a range of stakeholder groups from within and beyond the Network membership, including academics, industrialists, research technology organisations, and public sector stakeholders such as funding bodies. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in work to landscape and roadmap the development of a strong metamaterials manufacturing industrial sector in the UK, in line with the aspirations of the UK Government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy.
Role Summary
The Research and Innovation Fellow will lead research and evidence-gathering activities focused on current and emerging metamaterial manufacturing technologies, producing insights that will directly support the strategic aims of the UK Metamaterials Network. Working closely with Network Joint Lead Dr Claire Dancer and collaborating with the broader leadership and professional services team based at the University of Exeter, the Fellow will review existing literature, conduct research visits to relevant organisations and facilities, survey key experts, and analyse and interpret findings to inform stakeholders across academia, industry, and policy.
This role is ideal for a researcher with expertise in manufacturing or a closely related discipline who is motivated by applied research with clear links to policy, engagement, and strategic decision-making. Strong communication skills are essential, as the Fellow will engage with diverse stakeholder groups and contribute to key Network activities, including travel to relevant facilities within the UK and internationally, and supporting major events such as the annual UK Metamaterials Conference and Forum.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of the line manager if required,
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding,
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Undertake research visits to relevant metamaterials manufacturing or related facilities in the UK and elsewhere,
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research,
- Contribute to School of Metallurgy and Materials research-related activities,
- Contribute to wider UK Metamaterials Network Plus activities such as the organisation of key events (working with dedicated professional services staff at the University of Exeter),
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Develop strong relationships with the relevant stakeholders, including network members and others relevant to the area of metamaterials manufacturing,
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications and policy reports (or parts thereof), for example at seminars (including UKMMN events) and as posters,
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- First degree in area of specialism and a higher degree in an area relevant to the work in researching manufacturing methods relevant to metamaterials (e.g. Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing, Design, or other related disciplines),
- High level analytical capability for both quantitative and qualitative data,
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to different stakeholder groups, in both written and oral formats,
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones (specifically in the key technologies used or proposed for the manufacturing of metamaterials and metamaterial devices),
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes at the University of Birmingham and to coordinate effectively with such processes at project partner Universities,
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project,
- Able to carry out day-to-day activities independently including planning and executing research visits,
- 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
- Desirable: familiarity with British Standards (or international equivalents) for metrology,
- Desirable: experience of carrying out applied research on making metamaterials or related architected devices,
- Desirable: experience of research methodologies involving surveying individuals and analysing qualitative data effectively,
- Desirable: the successful candidate may be required to obtain UK Security Clearance in order to enable research visits and other interactions with certain stakeholder organisations.
Informal enquiries to Claire Dancer, email: c.e.j.dancer@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.