Work and study with us

Anniversary Chair - University of Birmingham - 102904

Closing date: Our recruitment will remain open until 2025.

In 2025, we will celebrate 125 years of University status by Royal Charter. One of the ways we are celebrating this important milestone is by making a significant investment in our research and appointing 25 new Anniversary Chairs.

As a leader in your field, with a track record of exemplary research, this permanent appointment will offer you sustained and strategic focus on advancing your research.

We’re looking for diverse talent from across the world to help us make new discoveries and tackle global challenges. You will work with the brightest minds at the forefront of different subject areas to tackle the most pressing global challenges, and the opportunity to be mentored and supported by senior leaders at the University and beyond, and to collaborate with our strong networks of partners.

You will be critical in driving the excellence of our research to make an even greater difference to the world around us. Join us as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, and be part of our ambitious, exciting future.

Our inclusive and intellectually challenging education programmes are underpinned by cutting-edge knowledge and taught by leading researchers to encourage independent thinking and develop the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers. In this role you will contribute to teaching and learning, and management and administration.

Research Fellow in Polymer Chemistry - 103333 - Grade 7

Closing date: 28 August 2024

Department of Chemistry, Supervisor: Dr Ruchi Gupta

We are seeking applications for a 24-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta’s group, and specifically to develop photodegradable materials and analytical methods for capture and measurement of biomarkers in biological fluids such as saliva. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Drs Melissa Grant and Malgorzata Wiench (both: School of Dentistry). Successful delivery will have revolutionary impact on early detection of diseases such as cancer.

Digital Training Fellow (Centre) - College of Medicine and Health - 103644 - Grade 8

Closing date: 16 September 2024

College of Medicine and Health, Supervisor: Professor Ivan Wall

The post holder will work collaboratively to develop and deliver digital training and outreach programmes to support future medicines manufacturing. They will be responsible for delivery of training and education using tools such as virtual reality and mixed reality (VR/MR) to drive digital transformation and net zero practices for educators, industry and NHS. They will train diverse cohorts of learners spanning the entire careers pipeline for industry, academia and NHS, sharing best practice with partners.

This role is based within the College of Medicine and Health and plays a vital role in developing and delivering innovative training, assessment and outreach approaches for the RESILIENCE UK Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence working in a UK consortium.

The post holder will possess an understanding of dynamic training needs for diverse learner groups, as well as strong interest in developing new ways of thinking in training delivery and training data analysis, to enable growth of the medicines manufacturing workforce and NHS. They will work with a nationwide consortium across the project, lead on digital strategies for inclusive and accessible learning, and make a major contribution to strategic discussions around digital transformation in education.

The post holder will work on their own initiative and exercise a high level of judgement, skill and understanding to conceive, develop and implement long-term improvements to service delivery and effective ways of working within their areas of responsibility.

Birmingham Springboard Fellow - College of Medicine and Health - 104243

Closing date: 4 October 2024

Department: The College of Medicine and Health

The College of Medicine and Health are excited to invite further applications to the Birmingham Springboard Fellowship which aims to support high-calibre post-doctoral researchers to develop proposals for submission to prestigious fellowships schemes such as ERC starter grants, Future Leaders Fellowship, Wellcome / MRC Career Development Awards etc.

The postholder will work in a high-quality research environment and will be sponsored by a senior mentor for development of their independent research within the strategic areas of research in the College of Medicine and Health. The postholder is expected to submit their independent fellowship application within the first 12 months of appointment and if/as successful, move into the fellowship role on a new contract within the 2 years.

Research Fellow - School of Chemical Engineering - 104014 - Grade 7

Closing date: 15 October 2024

Department: School of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Professor Paula Mendes

A unique opportunity for a successful applicant to undertake research in phage display technology for enabling the discovery of peptides capable of targeting glycans.

Sugar chains, known as glycans, perform a vast array of biological functions and play key roles in various physiological and pathological events. Thus, glycans are a rich source of biomarkers for many diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, hereditary disorders, immune deficiencies, and cancer. However, a major technological bottleneck exists in the development of binding entities that can recognise glycan biomarkers with high specificity and affinity. This hampers major advances in the early and accurate diagnosis of many devastating human illnesses.

The Research Fellow will tackle the technical challenges in the development of innovative solutions to creating a highly effective high throughput selection method for peptide-based glycan binders using phase display technology. It will include incorporation of non-natural amino acids and genetic modification of bacteriophages.

PhD: Smart Switchable Sensors for On-demand Biosensing and Cell Therapy Monitoring

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Professor Paula Mendes (The Mendes group)

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

This interdisciplinary project aims to develop smart switchable biosensors for real-time monitoring of cell-secreted, or bioreactor supplemented, cytokine biomarkers. For the first time, we aim to combine this novel switchable technology with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS), enabling on-demand electrochemical biosensing on-chip. Conceptually different from traditional biosensors where the surface immobilised recognition elements act as passive receptors, we introduce nature inspired surfaces with the unique ability to actively manipulate single-domain antibodies ie. nanobodies, conferring antigen-nanobody binding control.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Professor Paula M Mendes.

PhD: Sustainable processes – reducing single use plastics in healthcare

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Anita Ghag

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

This multidimensional project aims to look at the impact of sterilisation on medical plastic waste and work with a larger project team to develop technologies and processes which could eliminate single use plastics, and instead allow them to be used multiple times, not only reducing cost to the NHS but also reducing the environmental burden of plastic waste.

We are seeking a passionate PhD candidate to contribute to a highly translational project focused on assessing the impact of sterilisation on the usability of medical plastic waste and in turn looking at ways in which it could be assessed within healthcare settings. This project is part of a larger national project which aims to revolutionise the way in which medical plastic waste is handled in the future.

PhD: Development of Biocompatible 3D-Printed Artificial Blood Vessels through Multidimensional Approaches

Department of Chemical Engineering, Supervisor: Dr Anita Ghag

Funding & Eligibility: Competition Funded / UK/EU Students

Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round

We are seeking a passionate PhD candidate to contribute to a highly translational project focused on the development of biocompatible artificial blood vessels using advanced 3D printing technologies. This multidimensional research initiative aims to bridge the gap between synthetic materials and living tissues, creating new possibilities for patient-specific vascular grafts.

Biomedical Innovation MSc/Diploma/Certificate (1 year, full-time)

Application deadline: The deadline for international students (including EU) to apply is 7 May 2024. The deadline for UK students is 30 August 2024.

Delivered by the Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine (SMQB), the MSc Biomedical Innovation programme brings together talented students from a variety of backgrounds to focus on innovating new technologies that advance human health. Embedded within an exciting ecosystem spanning academia, hospitals and medical technology (MedTech) industry, we develop innovators and entrepreneurs who have a real impact on society.

Building on key strengths in data science, engineering, healthcare technologies, mathematical modelling and medicine, training is provided to students in identifying unmet medical needs, inventing new solutions and implementing them in healthcare environments. This programme is designed to enable participants to understand the needs of the healthcare sector and play an active role in the innovation of new health technologies to address these needs. Students develop the necessary skillset and benefit from training and mentorship to enable the innovation and adoption of new intelligent solutions. The programme is ideally suited for prospective careers in the MedTech and biotechnology sectors, healthcare, and business innovation for individuals with undergraduate experience in engineering and physical sciences, biomedical and clinical sciences and/or business and management.

Visit the Chemical Engineering PhD/Doctoral research degrees page for more opportunities.

The School of Chemical Engineering is dedicated to raising awareness of chemical engineering amongst young people by working closely with schools, colleges, teachers and career advisors.

Visit the Chemical Engineering outreach page for more information.

For Work Experience placements, email: hti@contacts.bham.ac.uk.