Postdoc: advanced operando diffraction of Na-ion battery high entropy

Would you like scientific freedom and ample opportunities within a long-term project and scientific prosperous environment? We are now looking for a diffraction expert (postdoc) for a collaborative project between Johansson Research Group, renown for battery materials research, and Dr. Colliander, an expert on scattering/diffraction based techniques at large scale facilities. Apply your diffraction expertise and skills to enable and understand materials for next generation batteries - a very hot and important area of science.

Project description
With a perspective of fundamental, and yet application inspired, research on next generation batteries with a horizon of 2030+ and of both academic and industrial interest, we now look for a diffractionist to explore high entropy alloys (HEAs) as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Efficient sodiation of HEAs relies on solid-solution behavior, which is affected by strains in inhomogenously sodiated particles and slow ion transport across phase boundaries.

You will investigate these phenomena through operando diffraction measurements at synchrotron light sources, where micro-focused X-ray beams and high-resolution area detectors can be combined to study the structure and strains in HEA anodes with the aim to:
- Fundamentally understand the sodiation mechanism(s).
- Investigate structural transformations and pathways of sodiation and desodiation
- Elucidate the (in)homogeneity of the sodiation front at intra- and interparticle levels

Major responsibilities
You will be a part of both the Division of Materials Physics and the Division of Microstructure 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 small and large collaborative constellations. Supervision of BSc, MSc, and PhD students can be a part of the work.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Qualifications
You must have a PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or equivalent.
You should have extensive experience of the techniques relevant for the postdoc position you apply for and very good communication and collaborative skills. In particular, experience of synchrotron (or neutron) diffraction experiments is critical. Excellent oral and written reporting in English internally and to other members of the project as well as at international conferences and in scientific journals of high repute are all expected skills.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years, with an option for a third year (2+1 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.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden's foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230046 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 as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• 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 research fields and main research results

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

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

Application deadline: February 28, 2023

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Patrik Johansson, Materials Physics
Email: patrik.johansson@chalmers.se

Senior Researcher Magnus Hörnqvist Colliander, Microstructure Physics
Email: magnus.colliander@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. *** 





Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!