Postdoc position in Li-ion fault detection by detailed physical modelling

Information about the project
The position is with the Automatic Control group in the division of Systems and Control. Aiming for sustainable solutions, this group is involved in many research projects on energy savings using automatic control methods. In general the projects are carried out in collaboration with other research groups, institutes and industry.

The interest and use of battery based electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, are steadily increasing and they are gradually replacing the traditional combustion engine based vehicles due to environmental concern and legislation. The energy stored in vehicle batteries, though, poses an enormous danger as they may enter thermal runaway (TR) and self-ignite with fatal consequences. Without further development we can expect the number of such accidents to increase drastically as the number of electric vehicles increases. This is worrying and has led to legislations that may significantly increase the production costs of electric vehicles if solved by traditional means. In this project, we instead aim to derive the obviously most cost-effective solution to mitigate this, i.e. completely avoid the initiation of TR, using algorithms running continuously, supervising the batteries and acting on level of hazard.
The project is a collaboration project with Volvo Cars, and with Beijing Institute of Technology and Geely Auto Group in China. Accidents with TR in batteries are thankfully uncommon and once an accident occurs, the data collected is usually lost. The availability of relevant data is therefore critical. The plan in this project is to get around this in two ways. The first is to mathematically model the physical causes of the runaway with a very high level of detail in order to be able to simulate pre-TR data. The models may then be used to develop fault detection and diagnosis algorithms to estimate the level of hazard. The second way is to use selected data from a Chinese database to both evaluate and develop the diagnostic methods. The modelling part will require mathematical skills and experience of solving partial differential equations.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility is to pursue research in line with the project, publish and present scientific articles and take part in discussions. Supervision of MSc thesis projects in the field may also be part of the work.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is offered for 1+1 year with possible extension.

Qualifications
PhD in engineering or natural sciences, related to Automatic Control / Engineering Mathematics / Electrochemistry / Physics.  The degree should generally not be older than three years. Experience of solving partial differential equations.

Experience of battery cell modelling is meritorious. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement but if you have an interest in learning Swedish, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

You are expected to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200491 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• 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
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

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

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 30 november, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Torsten Wik, torsten.wik@chalmers.se
Changfu Zou, changfu.zou@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. ***