The Faraday Institution

The Faraday Institution (FI) is the UK’s flagship organisation for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development, market analysis and early-stage commercialisation. It brings together research scientists and industry partners to work on large research projects with commercial potential that can lead to a reduction in battery cost, weight, and volume; improve performance and reliability; and develop whole-life strategies including recycling and reuse. The FI manages large research programmes across 27 universities involving 500+ researchers and 85 industry partners across the UK.

Role of the Expert Panel:

Through its Expert Panel, the Faraday Institution seeks to bring together the best scientists and practitioners from academia, industry and other relevant sectors and thereby establish a strong knowledge base in electrochemical energy, conversion and storage to help drive the charity’s activities. The role of the Expert Panel is:

• To conduct regular (biannual) expert panel reviews of the research projects intended to:
  • review the projects against their stated aims and deliverables, taking into account the wider academic and industrial research landscape, and to provide recommendations for future project direction and prioritisation.
  • provide a mechanism for regular dissemination between the projects, to allow opportunities for collaborative work or other linkages within the community or industry to present themselves.
• To provide a source of expert and independent advice for the FI CEO and executive on the science, technology and policy of the electrochemical energy conversion and storage landscape.
• To advise the CEO and executive on the science, technology and policy of electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
• To use its combined knowledge and horizon scanning to translate the high level requirements of industry into specific research topics and tension these with input from wider stakeholders in academia and industry.
• To propose long-range research projects that are beyond the investment horizon of industry, but which could deliver transformational benefits.
• To support call drafting for research projects from the community to address these challenges and further the objects.
• To advise the CEO and executive on the assessment and shaping of proposals for research projects.
• To review the progress of the research projects (using external experts where necessary) and to advise the CEO and executive on the allocation and reallocation of resources.
• To interact with and guide a new generation of researchers at all levels from PhDs to mid-career academics.

Responsibilities of Expert Panel Members:

• Attendance and input into all expert panel reviews (2 day meetings in March and September)
• Advice for up to 2 nominated research projects to the project leader alongside the principal investigator, through monthly 1-2 hrs science progress meetings via MS Teams, project consortium meetings (2 days per year)
• Adhoc advice for FI reviews and panels.

Qualities of Expert Panel Member

Applicants for the positions should be able to demonstrate the following experience and skills:

• Acknowledged expert within the field of electrochemical energy storage research (battery science and technology).
• We are to add academic and/or industrial expertise in the areas of battery materials manufacture/recycling and safety of cells and packs.
• Are independent of Faraday Institution funding.
• Behaviors to be engaging but friendly as per FI code of conduct guidelines.

Diversity: The Faraday Institution values diversity within its community at all levels. We are committed to ensuring that all applications are treated fairly. The Faraday Institution will provide suitable training in relation to the duties for the position where required.

Remuneration: The FI can offer remuneration for this position based on a daily rate and travel expenses.

Time commitment: Expected to be approximately 1 – 2 days per month, including two 2 day FI wide project reviews per year, monthly meetings with the assigned project and periodic panel only meetings. (9-10 days equivalent for supporting 1 project, 12-14 days equivalent for 2 projects)

Appointment period: this appointment is for an initial period of 3 years, which may be extended.

Application: To apply please send your CV and covering letter highlighting how you meet the selection criteria to [email protected].

The Faraday Institution is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and to being an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.