PhD Student Position in Chemistry Focusing on Developing Electrochemical Strategies to Control Na Metal Electrodes in Na-Based Batteries

Published: 2022-06-02

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 250 employees and has a turnover of 250 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website.

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Project description

The research project will focus on developing new electrochemical strategies to control Na-metal electrodes in Na-metal batteries. The project is built on recent advances in how the surface morphology of reactive metals like Li can be controlled using electrochemical nucleation. Insights and advances in the project will improve our understanding how the metal morphology evolves during electrochemical energy storage in Na-metal batteries. The aim of the project will be to apply these insights to create safe Na-metal batteries with improved lifetime. The work will extend beyond the department with industry collaboration partners from both the Na-battery industry (Altris) and the electric vehicle industry (Polestar).

Work duties

The doctoral student will be carrying out primarily experimental work thereby becoming experienced in topics like electrochemistry, electrodeposition, electrolyte design, Na-based batteries, in-operando microscopy analysis and post-mortem electron microscopy.

Requirements

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or has acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad
• very good oral and written proficiency in English
• highly motivated and curious mindset
• able to work both independently and as a part of a larger team

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

• Experience in electrochemical energy storage, in particular Li- or Na-based batteries is highly meriting
• Knowledge in electrochemistry and electrodeposition is meriting
• Programming expertise and automated data processing is also meriting

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1.10.2022 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: David Rehnlund, +49 152 33675131, david.rehnlund@kemi.uu.se, Guiomar Hernández, +46 18 471 37 07, guiomar.hernandez@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 8 July 2022, UFV-PA 2022/2056.

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