PhD student in surface and interface characterization of battery electrodes using operandi photoelectron spectroscopy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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. (https://kemi.uu.se/angstrom/?languageId=1).

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Duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%). The student will focus on methodology development of operandi APPES for battery applications, compare these with results from PES mearuements as well as from electrochemical methods. The student must design, plan and execute the experimental work, critically analyse and discuss the results, and present their work orally at scientific conferences and written in the form of papers in peer-reviewed journals. APPES is mainly availible at national and international synchrotron facilities, thus the student is expected to travel, usually around 1-3 weeks per semester. Finally the student is expected to participate in all mandantory group activities, including becoming the responsible person for specific lab equipment.

Description of research project: Energy storage becomes increasingly important for developing a sustainable society, in which e.g. the use of fossil fuel needs to be reduced. Batteries can today replace the combustion engine in vehicles and in doing do it is an important component for electrification of the transport sector. Here it is important that the batteries are both safe and long-term stable. The redox reactions involved in energy conversion in batteries occur at the interface between the solid electrode and the electrolyte. Upon battery use oxidation occur at the anode and reduction occur at the cathode. In a rechargeable battery the reversed reactions are enabled through input of energy. At these functional interfaces also unwanted side reactions occur, e.g. dissolution of electrode materials, decomposition of electrolyte, which influence the long-term stability of the battery. To develop the batteries of the future requires atomic level knowledge of how and why all reactions in the electrode/electrolyte interface occur. Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) is one of the most powerful methods to obtain this knowledge. This is attributed to a surface sensitivity in nanometer range, element and oxidation state sensitivity of PES. With the development of new instrumentation, it is now possible to study the functional interfaces during operation, i.e. operandi measurement. The research project involves development and utilisation of operando ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy (APPES) experimental methodologies for studying the functional battery interface. This involves performing operandi APPES and comparing results to PES and other electrochemical methods obtained at both synchrotron laboratories as well as in house instrumentation.

Requirements

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification in chemistry or physics, 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.

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.

Additional qualifications

• Experience of XPS is desirable

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 2022-06-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Maria Hahlin, Maria.Hahlin@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 9 April 2022, UFV-PA 2022/747.

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