Postdoctoral position in development and characterization of future-generation Zn batteries - 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 270 employees and has a turnover of 290 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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Project description
The general aim of the research is the development and fundamental understanding of aqueous electrolytes for dendrite-free Zn batteries. More specifically, the project aims to identify and characterize electrolytes capable of uniform Zn plating/striping in Zn batteries. Development and screening of electrolytes is based on a high-throughput screening strategy with a fully-automated robotic line to prepare and test electrolytes online with electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The most promising electrolyte candidates are subsequently characterized in detail with a broad approach of analytical techniques, including operando gas analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc.

The work will be carried out mainly at Ångström Advanced Battery Centre (ÅABC), which is housed within the Ångström Laboratory – one of Europe’s best equipped Materials Research Laboratories. ÅABC involves the full-time activities of >80 researchers, of whom 8 are Senior Staff; the remainders are PhD students, postdocs, researchers and assistant professors. The group produces ca. 5 PhD theses annually. It is the leading research environments for the development of electrochemical storage materials and advanced battery technology in the Nordic countries. The focus of research is on modern commercial and next- generation Li-ion batteries, and future battery chemistries such as Na-ion, Li-S, organic electrodes, solid- state, etc. The expertise lies in synthesis of electrode and electrolyte materials and electrochemical testing, but equally important are the development and application of operando characterization, such as vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffraction, etc. and combinations of them.

Work duties
The main duties for post-doctoral fellow is to conduct research. The work comprises electrolyte formulation, battery cell assembly, electrochemical performance evaluation in coordination with the fully-automated robotic electrolyte formulation and cell assembly line. Significant efforts will be dedicated to advanced operando physico-chemical characterization of electrode and electrolytes during operation of the battery cells. Project management duties as well as teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours.

Requirements
For employment as postdoc, the applicant should have a PhD exam or an international equivalent within the field of chemistry, material science or other for the position relevant fields, within a maximum of three (3) years before the final application date. During certain circumstances, an earlier PhD can be acceptable. Certain circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, in trade unions, etc.

The assessment of applications is based primarily on the applicant's ability to conduct independent research based on scientific skill. Greater importance is attached to the quality of individual scientific work, than to the amount of publications. The candidate should have good skills in spoken and written 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 battery material formulation and characterization, cell assembly, and electrochemical performance evaluation is highly meritious.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala. 

For further information about the position, please contact: Erik Berg (erik.berg@kemi.uu.se) or Xu Hou (xu.hou@kemi.uu.se).

Please submit your application by 18 August 2023, UFV-PA 2023/2642.

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