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 projects with commercial potential that will reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; improve performance and reliability; and develop whole-life strategies including recycling and reuse. The Faraday Institution manages large research programmes across 27 universities involving 500+ researchers and 85 industry partners across the UK.

The Faraday Institution’s Training and Diversity Panel advises on how best to achieve the ambitious aims of creating a dynamic and diverse pool of talent for the fields of energy storage and battery technology. The panel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from academia, industry and the public sector.

To date, the Faraday Institution has created a number of initiatives for researcher professional development (including a Faraday Masterclass series with experts in the field, early career researcher events and training that boosts professional identity and skills), a bespoke PhD training programme and a thriving undergraduate internship programme.

Position: A number of panel members have moved onto new work roles or come to the end of their term. Therefore, the FIHQ is recruiting for panel members and in doing so, is seeking to ensure that new voices and perspectives are brought in from industry, academia, and organisations with shared values.

Role of Panel Member: As a member of the Faraday Institution Training & Diversity Panel, you will advise the FIHQ on best practices to develop a pool of talent for careers in energy storage research and development. You will advise the FIHQ on how to develop a quality training programme – from undergraduate to PhD to early career researchers in industrial and academic roles – to deliver results in line with the FI’s charitable objectives, its mission, vision and values.

In this role, you will work collaboratively with the other members of the Training & Diversity Panel and the Head of Training and Talent Development, providing guidance, using your knowledge and skills to help inform and aid discussions and to deliver results.

Qualities of a Panel Member: In order to complement the existing experience across our panel and ensure a good balance of skills, we are looking for individuals who can bring significant experience with academic and/or training programmes for undergraduate, masters, PhD, and early career researcher roles. Individuals should possess a strong passion for the mission of the Faraday Institution and energy storage R&D and fit in any of the following categories:

Industry R&D professional

• Individuals who work directly with masters – to PhD level employees in energy storage related fields (automotive, engineering, battery production, materials discovery and development, chemistry, etc.).

University education professional

• Individuals with a student-facing role who work to develop STEM-focused undergraduate, PhD, and early career researchers in an academic setting through training programmes and support offices (e.g., CDTs). Ideal candidates include faculty tutors, education directors, CDT directors and senior administrators.

Mid- to senior academic researchers in battery science

• Individuals who are active researchers in the Faraday Institution energy storage research community and who directly supervise PhDs and/or PDRAs.

Professionals from learned societies, charities, institutes and foundations

• Individuals who work to improve researcher and talent development as part of their organisation’s mission.

Diversity: The Faraday Institution is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment as it seeks to build and support a world-class energy storage research community. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and by celebrating a diversity of ideas, opinions, knowledge and people it is acknowledged that research excellence will follow. Beyond research disciplines, diversity within this community takes many other forms including career stage, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin and religion. In recognition of this, the Faraday Institution aspires to maintain an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive, feel they belong, and have a voice.

The Faraday Institution Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Charter outlines the EDI responsibilities that all members of our community share. Members of the panel will be expected to commit to actions that contribute to building the welcoming, supportive, diverse and productive UK battery research community we seek to create.

We seek to assemble a diverse panel that represents multiple voices, which when combined, creates a wealth of expertise which will inform future planning.

Remuneration: each position is remunerated at a rate of £250 per day; travel expenses may be claimed.

Time commitment: The Training & Diversity Panel meets at least three times per year in-person. Panel members will be expected to prepare for meetings ahead of time, for example by pre-reading materials. In addition to meetings, other interactions, either by email or phone may be required. The next meeting will be in London on 5^th October 2023.

Term: The term of panel members is three years.

How to apply: Applications should be sent to [email protected] explaining what skills and qualities you would bring to the role and why you would be a good fit.

Selection Process: Application forms will be reviewed by a diverse panel consisting of a member of the Training and Diversity Panel and member of the FIHQ staff.  Short interviews are planned for 19^th July.

Closing date: for applications is 30^th June 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by 11^th August 2023.