PhD student position - Processes and interfaces in solid state batteries

Would you like to look into materials for next generation energy technology and become an expert in solid state batteries and advanced characterization techniques? Join us at Chalmers in our quest to understand structure and process in next generation batteries on the molecular level using state-of-the-art experimental methods.

Information about the department and the division
Stimulated by major needs and challenges in science and a sustainable society, the ambition of the Department of Physics is to foster a creative environment for academic research, learning and outreach. We provide a competitive advantage by linking our top-level international and interdisciplinary academic performance in the areas of material science, nanotechnology and energy research with world-leading industrial R&D&I projects. We address a wide array of experimental, computational, methodological and theoretical challenges, from fundamental physics research, through the development of new materials to direct industrial projects generating new inventions. We have a strong learning commitment on all levels from undergraduate to PhD studies where physics meet engineering.

The research at the division of Materials Physics is directed towards fundamental molecular level understanding of structure and dynamics of materials in relation to macroscopic function. A particular focus is energy related materials for next generation batteries, including nano-structured materials for high capacity and high-rate electrodes, novel electrolyte systems and stabilisation of metal anodes. We work with both theory/modelling and experiments, both at in-house laboratories and at synchrotron and neutron facilities.

About the project
The goal of this PhD-project is to advance research and design of high-energy-density solid-state batteries, one of the most promising next generation technologies. In particular, the aim is to build an understanding on the processes taking place at the interfaces between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes. The main issue is to stabilize the interface between the Li-metal anode and the solid electrolyte, a bottleneck to advance from laboratory scale to real applications. In the project we combine design of materials and advanced characterization of interface evolution. The challenges is to follow processes in battery cells during operation and based on the knowledge design materials with a functionality on the nano-scale. In the project you will work on advanced characterization techniques in order to in real time follow processes in working battery cells. You will work with both spectroscopic methods in our own laboratories and with advanced x-ray scattering and imaging methods at large scale facilities, e.g. the Swedish national facility MAXIV. You will have resources and possibilities to access state-of-the-art experimental tools, to present your work to the national and international scientific communities. The work will be part of the national competence center BASE and internationally the Battery 2030+ project BIGMAP and part of an ongoing Swedish-Korean research collaboration.

This advertisement is part of a concerted Phd call where the Department of Physics is hiring five Phd students. The other available positions can be found here.

Major responsibilities
You will be a part of the division of Materials Physics at the Department of Physics at Chalmers University of Technology. The major part of your time will be devoted to your research project, where you will be expected to plan, perform and disseminate your work in large and small collaborative constellations . You will work in a cross-disciplinary environment and have large freedom to form your own research within the scope of the project.

You will also be required to complete a course program (60 higher education credits), and participate in teaching activities and other duties at the Department of Physics (up to 20% of your time). Supervision of BSc and MSc students can also be a part of the work.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a Master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or equivalent. You should have an interest in materials science and energy technology, and very good communication and collaborative skills. Experience of battery research, materials characterization at the molecular level, data analysis, electrochemical methods are all considered an advantage. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.


Read more and apply here
Application deadline: 28th November, 2022

For questions, please contact:
Professor Aleksandar Matic, Materials Physics, e-mail: matic@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. ***