Position Details
School of Mathematics, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK. Full time, starting salary £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression to £48,822. Grade: 7. Fixed‑term contract up to August 2028 or 24 months from start date. Closing date: 31 May 2026. Interviews will take place online on 16 June or 23 June.
Background
The post supports the newly established £2.8M EPSRC Network Plus “Scale Up Mathematics for Formulated Products” (SUM4Products). The network seeks to build a multidisciplinary partnership of academics in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology and industrial partners from micro‑SMEs to multinational firms. Mathematics underpins the development of predictive modelling capabilities that unlock innovation across the sector.
Four Innovation Research Associates (InRAs) will be appointed at Edinburgh, Bristol, UCL and Birmingham. The role is part of this group and will work closely with academic and industrial partners of the SUM4Products network and with other InRAs and early‑career researchers.
Role Summary
Research activities:
- Carry out independent and collaborative research on mathematical modelling of formulated products, identifying fruitful research lines.
- Disseminate findings through internal reports, conference proceedings and journal publications.
- Develop personal research plans and contribute to the wider development of the SUM4Products network strategy.
- Contribute to grant bids, providing guidance to staff and students on integrating methods and results.
Main Duties
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint projects, with mentor assistance if required.
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
- Analyse and interpret data, applying knowledge to develop new intellectual understanding.
- Disseminate research findings for publication, seminars, etc.
- Supervise and guide students on research-related work and PhD students where appropriate.
- Develop new models, techniques, and methods.
- Undertake research management and administration.
- Contribute to departmental and school research activities and related administration.
- Engage in enterprise, business development, and public engagement benefiting the College and University.
- Collect research data using experimental methods, literature reviews, or interviews.
- Present research outputs at seminars and as posters.
- Provide guidance to support staff and students aiding research.
- Address problems affecting research objectives and deadlines.
- Promote equality and diversity, acting as a role model for an inclusive workplace.
Person Specification
- First degree and normally a higher degree in applied mathematics, physical sciences, engineering, or a closely related field.
- High analytical capability and ability to interpret mathematical and computational results in real‑world contexts.
- Clear communication of complex information and a record of peer‑reviewed publications.
- Fluency in relevant models and techniques, with the ability to develop new methodologies.
- Proven track record of modelling research in formulation science (fluid dynamics, continuum mechanics, soft matter, interfacial phenomena, heat and mass transfer, or related areas).
- Ability to acquire new mathematical and computational skills as required.
- Collaborative working with multidisciplinary researchers.
- Resource assessment and effective use of resources.
- Understanding and contribution to broader management and administration processes.
- Planning and organising research programmes and specific projects.
- Coordination of work with others to avoid duplication and conflict.
- Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and commitment to treating protected characteristics fairly.
- (Desirable) Experience collaborating with industrial partners.
- (Desirable) Experience scoping new research projects and identifying mathematical or computational solutions.
Informal enquiries: Rosemary Dyson, email: r.j.dyson@bham.ac.uk
Use of AI in applications: We aim to assess genuine interest in the role; applications that rely heavily on AI tools are unlikely to progress to interview.
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