After completing his doctorate, Smallman went to work as a metallurgical researcher at the
Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) in
Harwell, Oxfordshire. At AERE, Smallman and his colleagues were among the first to study the structure of metals using
electron microscopy, discovering previously unknown microstructures and defects including
dislocation "loops". In 1958, in collaboration with scientists from
Cambridge's
Cavendish Laboratory, Smallman published a groundbreaking paper on these dislocations, which provided key evidence for an emerging theory of
metal fatigue with important implications for metallurgy and engineering. Thereafter, Smallman returned to the University of Birmingham as a lecturer in physical metallurgy, and oversaw the development of a highly successful metallurgical research team. In 1964, he was appointed Chair of Birmingham's Department of Physical Metallurgy, becoming the Head of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials in 1980. In 1985, Smallman oversaw the founding of an independent, research-focused Faculty of Engineering at Birmingham, and subsequently became the new faculty's Dean. ISmallman was elected a
Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1986, and was elected a Fellow of the
Royal Academy of Engineering in 1991. In 1987, Smallman became the Vice-Principal of the university, a position he held until 1992. As Vice-Principal, he implemented numerous university-wide administrative and academic reforms, and helped to strengthen the university's links to industry and commerce. Smallman's reforms were credited with helping to raise Birmingham's national and international profile as a major research university. In his later years, Smallman was a visiting lecturer at numerous universities and scientific societies worldwide. ==Honours and awards==