Research Fellow
| Posting date: | 04 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,064 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 March 2026 |
| Location: | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Portsmouth |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | REC00004669 |
Summary
Applications are invited for the position of Research Fellow in the Applied Mathematics Group at the University of Portsmouth. The Research Fellow will work on the Multi-scale Modelling Project funded by the Faraday Institution and in doing so will join a consortium of researchers based at Imperial College London, University College London, and the Universities of Oxford, Southampton, Warwick, Birmingham, Bath and Lancaster. The work will involve close collaboration with this interdisciplinary team of external collaborators as well as with industrial partners.
The role will focus on developing advanced physics-based continuum models for sodium-ion batteries, with particular emphasis on hard carbon anodes and phase-changing layered oxide cathodes. The successful candidate will create a computational framework that bridges atomistic insights and cell-scale behaviour, enabling improved understanding of multi-mechanism sodium storage, phase transitions, and dynamic electrochemical response. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation modelling tools that will accelerate the design and optimisation of sodium-ion battery technologies.
Applicants should have a PhD (or equivalent research experience) in a highly numerate science subject. The main role will be to develop a computational framework within which the group can test and validate models of sodium-ion battery behaviour. As such, proficiency in computer programming (particularly python) is required as well as knowledge of numerical methods for the computational solution of systems of partial differential equations. Familiarity with the electrochemistry of, and existing models for, sodium-ion batteries is also desirable. The applicant should show strong motivation for independent research, and the ability to work with partners from other areas of the sciences. Applicants should be willing to undertake travel to work with these partners.
The Multi-Scale Modelling project brings together world-leading battery experts with a broad set of skills at every level to build the critical bridge between science and engineering, working alongside UK industry to ensure that the work is innovative and delivers high impact. This consortium uniquely blends theoreticians with modellers, mathematicians and experimentalists, ensuring that the models developed are scientifically rigorous, computationally efficient and experimentally validated in parallel, to maintain a high degree of usefulness and accuracy. The first challenge is to develop a novel physics-based model for sodium-ion batteries behaviour, with a particular focus on hard carbon anode material.
This position is working on-site only, so we are unable to support hybrid working for this appointment.
The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 25 March 2026.
This appointment is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2030
The role will focus on developing advanced physics-based continuum models for sodium-ion batteries, with particular emphasis on hard carbon anodes and phase-changing layered oxide cathodes. The successful candidate will create a computational framework that bridges atomistic insights and cell-scale behaviour, enabling improved understanding of multi-mechanism sodium storage, phase transitions, and dynamic electrochemical response. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation modelling tools that will accelerate the design and optimisation of sodium-ion battery technologies.
Applicants should have a PhD (or equivalent research experience) in a highly numerate science subject. The main role will be to develop a computational framework within which the group can test and validate models of sodium-ion battery behaviour. As such, proficiency in computer programming (particularly python) is required as well as knowledge of numerical methods for the computational solution of systems of partial differential equations. Familiarity with the electrochemistry of, and existing models for, sodium-ion batteries is also desirable. The applicant should show strong motivation for independent research, and the ability to work with partners from other areas of the sciences. Applicants should be willing to undertake travel to work with these partners.
The Multi-Scale Modelling project brings together world-leading battery experts with a broad set of skills at every level to build the critical bridge between science and engineering, working alongside UK industry to ensure that the work is innovative and delivers high impact. This consortium uniquely blends theoreticians with modellers, mathematicians and experimentalists, ensuring that the models developed are scientifically rigorous, computationally efficient and experimentally validated in parallel, to maintain a high degree of usefulness and accuracy. The first challenge is to develop a novel physics-based model for sodium-ion batteries behaviour, with a particular focus on hard carbon anode material.
This position is working on-site only, so we are unable to support hybrid working for this appointment.
The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 25 March 2026.
This appointment is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2030
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