Research Fellow (111601-0526)

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Alex Robertson (Associate Professor) at Alex.W.Robertson@warwick.ac.uk.

Flexible Working 

• We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

We are looking to appoint a post doctoral research fellow to work with us to develop and prototype innovative new aqueous electrolyte battery chemistries. You will join the Department of Physics and collaborate with partners in the WMG at the University of Warwick.

Your role will be to synthesise and characterise battery materials, independently diagnose and optimise to combat failure modes and degradation, and scale-up to the pouch-cell level. We are particularly looking for someone to work with eutectic aqueous electrolytes.

We are looking for someone who has or will soon obtain a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline, and has a proven track record of undertaking experimental research in electrochemistry, aqueous rechargeable batteries, eutectic electrolytes, cathode synthesis, advanced characterisation, and working to the pouch-cell level in collaboration with external partners.

You will have a proven track record in academia and will have demonstrated effective collaborations with industrial partners.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

Group/Team

You will be joining the Warwick Microscopy Group (Microscopy Group (Physics) (warwick.ac.uk)), which is a collaboration between several academics who all study materials and interface down to the nanoscale. Dr Alex Robertson specialises in the use of in-situ techniques to understand nano and energy materials. This project will also offer opportunities to form cross-discipline collaborations with Warwick’s Electrochemistry group (Warwick Electrochemistry and Interfaces Group), who are world renowned experts in characterising electrochemical reactions, and the WMG battery research team (Battery Materials and Cells Group - WMG (warwick.ac.uk), who are projects leads in the UK’s Faraday Institution battery challenge research effort.

Department of Physics

The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students.

We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.

We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. We are also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men. 

Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 24th May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline. 

You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:

1. Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).

2. Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.

3. Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: July 2026

Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered.

You are welcome to include any careers breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave).

Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.