PhD Student in Operando X-ray Analysis of Next-generation Batteries (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS) - 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 300 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.

This position is part of the PRISMAS programme in collaboration with MAX IV Laboratory, the Swedish 4th generation synchrotron light source. PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts, co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.

The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. Supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.

Your Project
Energy storage devices such as batteries are exquisitely complex chemical systems with multiple components interacting in ways dependent on the operating conditions. Consequently, developing tools that enable the simultaneous measurement of atomic and electronic changes together with properties is critical to understanding performance.

At the Balder beamline at MAX IV, we investigate battery cycling processes operando with simultaneously combined complementary techniques using the high-brilliance X-rays of the 4th generation MAX IV synchrotron. Combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) simultaneously, with a sub-second time resolution, gives us the unique ability to follow complex processes from multiple perspectives. With just one experiment we get insight into the evolution of the chemical and structural properties during material transformations.

This PhD project aims to utilize simultaneously combined operando XAS-XRD during electrochemical cycling of batteries to gain a multi-perspective insight into the mechanisms responsible for charge storage, aging, and degradation of Prussian blue analogue (PBA)-based sustainable aqueous batteries. The transferability of methodology and results will also be investigated by comparing with common Li-ion and Na-ion battery chemistries.

You will perform combined operando X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy on various PBA-based aqueous as well as non-aqueous Li/Na-ion batteries during electrochemical cycling. To analyse the significant amount of generated data from such correlated measurements, you will apply and further develop python based analysis pipelines and extract correlated information. This will create a basis for the fundamental understanding of next-generation energy storage systems. 

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will bring to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. Complemented with a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree. 

Duties 
The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in the research project and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a great amount, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

Further, you will liaise with national and international partners to communicate the results and interpret feedback to improve the data analysis or experimental setup. The research group is a highly collaborative environment, and thus, the sharing of expertise and knowledge is expected.

The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge.  A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

Your Workplace
This is a collaborative project between Uppsala University and MAX IV Laboratory. You will be based within the Ångström Advanced Battery Centre (ÅABC). ÅABC involves the full-time activities of above 100 researchers, of whom 13 are Senior Staff; the remainders are PhD students, postdocs, researchers, technical staff and assistant professors. It is the leading research environment for the development of electrochemical storage materials and advanced battery technology in the Nordic countries. You will be working within the research group of Dr. Leiting Zhang, who specializes in bulk and interfacial characterization of next-generation battery chemistries. You will closely collaborate with Dr William Brant, who specializes in the synthesis and operando characterization of positive electrode materials in Li- and Na-ion batteries.

You will be co-supervised at MAX IV Laboratory by Dr. Justus Just in the Balder beamline team, who has extensive experience in combined multimodal operando X-ray experimentation and data analysis. Among Dr Zhang, Dr Brant, and Dr. Just, there is combined experience in materials chemistry, crystallography and several advanced operando X-ray characterization techniques. The combined groups consist of seven PhD students and three postdocs.

Requirements

The candidate must have:

• been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• very good oral and written proficiency in English.

To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2021-08-30 to 2024-08-31 for work or studies as main occupation.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as (but not limited to) computational chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, or material science.

You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme if you qualify for a doctoral candidacy, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

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

It is an additional qualification if you have (beneficial but not mandatory):

• Experience in working with batteries or electrochemistry
• Experience with data analysis or plotting in python or other programming languages
• Experience with hard X-ray techniques and experiments, such as diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, pair distribution function analysis, etc
• Worked within data science, chemometrics or similar areas
• Previous project work that demonstrates deductive, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills.

 About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2025-01-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

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

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Leiting Zhang (leiting.zhang@kemi.uu.se), Dr. William Brant (william.brant@kemi.uu.se), Dr. Justus Just (justus.just@maxiv.lu.se). If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se. 

Please submit your application by 2nd of September 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2682.

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