Two PhD students in electrochemical extraction of lithium from waste streams

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

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Duties
The primary focus of these two PhD projects will be on the development of materials and processes for the electrochemical extraction and recovery of lithium from brine and waste streams. Main focus will be on electro-active metal-organic framework (MOFs) materials that will be implemented in different device architectures. The project aims to develop efficient and selective processes for lithium extraction by investigating key factors such as electrode material properties, electrolyte composition, the influence of impurities, the structural properties of different MOFs, as well as parameters such as device architecture and electrolyte flow rates.

The two PhD students will work in a close collaboration with each other and with researchers at the Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory. In your application, please specify whether you prefer to contribute to the project in MOF synthesis and initial electrochemical studies, or on electrode development, device incorporation, and performance studies. 

The combined efforts of the two students will involve both fundamental and applied research, addressing challenges related to material stability, selectivity, and scalability of the electrochemical extraction process. A variety of MOFs will be compared to other commonly used electrode materials regarding their potential use as high-performance electrode materials. The properties of the most promising MOFs will be optimized to improve the lithium recovery.

The projects will require extensive use of advanced analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and a range of electrochemical methods to characterize the material performance and extraction efficiency.

The doctoral students will be involved in collaborations as well as plan and perform experiments and will thereby become experienced in materials analysis, electrochemistry, and analytical techniques.

The main duties involved in the doctoral studies are to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of the work time. The student will also take third-cycle courses related to the research topics. A successful PhD student is expected to perform high quality research as part of a team, with the aim of disseminating the resulting works through publication in high impact peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at national and international conferences.

Requirements
The candidate must have:

• been awarded a second-cycle qualification in Chemistry or Materials Science, or
• satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented theoretical and practical experience in electrochemistry.
• capability to express oneself clearly, document experimental work, and work together with others in a research environment.

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.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date May 1, 2025 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: 
Sascha Ott, sascha.ott@kemi.uu.se
Leif Nyholm, leif.nyholm@kemi.uu.se or
Reza Younesi, reza.younesi@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 21 March 2025, UFV-PA 2025/512.

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