PhD Student in Battery Materials, Interfaces and Processes

Join our PhD program in cutting-edge battery research! Help develop next-generation batteries for electrified transport and sustainable energy storage. You will study atomic- and molecular-level processes in real-time and collaborate with top experts from academia and industry worldwide. We welcome diverse applicants excited to innovate and contribute to a sustainable future.

Project description
The research project focuses on battery electrode materials, interfaces and the reactions occurring during operation. We want to increase the understanding of interactions between electrode materials and the electrolyte, at a detailed level to develop next generation batteries. To enable a large-scale electrification of our society it is essential to develop batteries that have high performance in terms of energy and power, but also that they can be produced with minimal environmental impact from abundant materials and that the batteries have a long lifetime.





Information about the division and the department
The main theme at the division of Chemical Physics is development of sustainable energy systems with activities in alternative fuel production, emission control, energy storage, fuel cells, electrolysers, batteries and water cleaning. We strive for scientific excellence through interdisciplinary teamwork and joint experimental/theoretical efforts.

Experimentally we focus on nanofabrication of well-defined materials, microscopy and spectroscopy techniques and measurements of chemical and electrochemical reactions with high precision, bridging length/time scales to understand reactions at the atomic level.

The project will be a part of COMPEL, COMPetence for the ELectrification of the transport system, a strategic initiative from the Swedish government to strengthen research and education in battery technology. Within COMPEL Chalmers, Lund University and Uppsala University are responding to the need to ensure long-term competitiveness of the automotive industry and Sweden as a whole. Research within COMPEL spans the full battery value chain and provides the student with a multidisciplinary network for collaboration.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as PhD student is to perform research within the project at Chemical Physics. Collaboration with theoretical and experimental efforts in the department of Physics at Chalmers and with collaborating groups at other universities and with companies is also included in the position. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry and the public sector.

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must have:
• MSc in Physics, Material Science or Chemistry, or MSc in engineering Physics, Material Science or Chemistry, not older than two years
• Expertise in experimental work in Physics, Material Science or Chemistry
• Good communication skills in written and spoken English
• Able to work independently as well as in teams and take responsibility for progress and quality of the project

It is meritorious if you have:
• Experience in Electrochemistry
• Experience in Battery or Battery material research
• Materials characterization
• Chemical analysis
Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with reference number 20240546 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, reference number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, ref.number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: November 10, 2024 

For questions, please contact:
Björn Wickman, Associate Professor, Chemical Physics, Physics
Email: bjorn.wickman@chalmers.se


*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***