Research Fellow at University of Birmingham

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to April 2028

Background

We invite applications for a Research Fellow working in the social science team as part of the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA), funded by the EPSRC. The post holder will be part of work package five ‘Understanding and influencing the social issues of Cell Ag’ with Dr Neil Stephens. The term Cellular Agriculture refers to a set of technological innovations that seek to manufacture products that have traditionally been associated with agricultural environments through new systems that operate at the cellular level in bioreactor systems. Examples include cultured meat, and precision fermentation approaches to milk, oils, and other food stuffs. These novel technologies are in the early stages of development, and invoke a wide range of socio-cultural issues. This work package aims to analyse this cultural politics. 

Further information about the broader CARMA project is available here: https://carmahub.co.uk/ 

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

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 a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• 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 Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• 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

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• 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

Informal enquiries to Neil Stephens, email: n.stephens@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the ‘Apply‘ button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Closes: 15^th May 2025