Research Fellow in Acoustofluidics - School of Chemistry Grade 7

Position Details

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression once in post to £48,822. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is £42,254.

Grade 7

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract for up to 12 months

Closing date: 30 July 2026

We are seeking applications for a 12-month research fellow position to support all activities in Dr Ruchi Gupta’s group, and to specifically develop systems for droplet generation, levitation and manipulation in 3D by shaping of ultrasound waves. Successful delivery of such systems will have revolutionary impact on drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and industrial biotechnology.

The post-holder will be based in the School of Chemistry. The School of Chemistry seeks to attract outstanding, inspirational and talented people, supporting them to succeed and celebrating their success. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The School of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, in recognition of its work in promoting women’s careers in higher education.

The University of Birmingham is a member institution of the Race Equality Charter, a Disability Confident Employer and contributes to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. We support flexible working and studying.

Our research is driven by four core themes — Energy, Sustainability, Environment, and Health — complemented by interdisciplinary Interest Groups, serving as catalysts for emerging ideas. This dynamic structure makes our School an exciting place to work and collaborate. Major University investment in our subject enabled the 2024 opening of our state‑of‑the‑art Molecular Sciences Building. We recently completed the strategic expansion of our academic staff, and we continue to invest in teaching and learning excellence.

As part of our collegiate community, you will demonstrate academic citizenship by cultivating generous, respectful, and supportive working relationships. You will positively influence how others succeed, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our culture.

• To undertake research into acoustic levitation systems including their design, finite element modelling, construction, characterisation, integration with optical detection, and application.
• To analyse and interpret research findings and results.
• To produce reports, presentations and publications in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• To present results at national and international conferences.
• To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.

• To undertake research into acoustic levitation systems including their design, finite element modelling, construction, characterisation, integration with optical detection, and application.
• To analyse and interpret research findings and results.
• To produce regular written and oral reports pertaining to the projects as requested; attend regular project and group meetings; give regular presentations to the group and collaborators; write papers for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proof read of papers and reports and to present results at national and international conferences.
• To supervise research students, be responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment and training of personnel on equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive…