Assistant Professor in data-driven battery research

Uppsala University’s tenure track system grants assistant professors the possibility to be assessed for promotion to the position as associate professor. The university provides support in various areas, such as scientific and educational development, leadership development as well as patent and innovation support.

COMPEL (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the Transport System) is a strategic initiative from the Swedish government to ensure Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and the electrification of the transport sector. Research and education within the platform span the entire battery value chain and offer an interdisciplinary network for collaboration between three universities: Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, and Uppsala University. It is within this context that COMPEL is now recruiting several young researchers with different competencies to build a unique interdisciplinary research and education environment. This initiative is based on a strong partnership between academia and industry to drive research and development forward.

The Department of Information Technology at Uppsala University is engaged in research and education related to the processing and analysis of battery data, as well as the integration of battery systems. In a number of established collaborations with the battery research group at Uppsala University, researchers at the department contribute expertise in AI, control, estimation, modeling, signal processing, optimization, and large-scale data collection. Related knowledge is also shared through master's-level courses and supervision within academia and industry. The new assistant professor is invited to collaborate with the department's and COMPEL's researchers in an environment that supports the establishment of their own research group.

The focus of the position is on research, and the employment comes with a generous startup package including two PhD students.

Description of subject area of the employment: Data-driven battery research is an interdisciplinary field focusing on using large-scale data to improve the understanding and performance of battery systems. It uses advanced modeling and simulations to enable accurate prediction of behavior under different conditions, for example by developing digital twins of batteries. Control and optimization are central components to maximize battery efficiency and lifespan, while system design ensures that batteries are optimally integrated into different applications. The field combines methods from machine learning, physics-based modeling, automatic control, and systems engineering to drive innovation in battery technology and electrification.

Duties:

• Teaching, research and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility, course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students.
• Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that are important for the work at the university.
• Establish your own research group within the Department by defining and planning research activities within the framework of the above-described subject area, seeking external research funding and supervising doctoral students.
• Interdisciplinary research with other researchers within the COMPEL environment, as well as promoting the growth of battery research within the Information Technology Department.

Appointment Period: The position can be held for a maximum of six years. An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Associate Professor. If the Assistant Professor is deemed suitable and fulfills the criteria for promotion established by the Faculty Board he/she shall be promoted to and employed as Associate Professor.

Qualifications Required: 

• PhD in systems and control, machine learning, signal processing, computer science, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or another subject relevant for the position. Applicants who have obtained a PhD degree or achieved the equivalent competence in seven years or less prior to the end of the application period will be given priority.
• Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills, the research expertise and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
• Applicants should have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising five weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
• Documented ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail.
• Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required

The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research expertise.

Research Expertise comprises research merits as well as the applicant's potential to contribute to the future development of both research and teaching. In assessing research expertise, research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits in data-driven battery research, for example

• modeling and simulation, with a special focus on machine learning methods or digital twins,
• control or optimization of batteries and energy storage systems (including sensors),
• system design that takes into account battery dynamics.

Research experience in machine learning, control or computer science is a merit.

Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing teaching expertise special weight will be attached to merits within the subject area of the position.

Teaching experience in machine learning, control or computer science is a merit.

Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given consideration. Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames.

Collaboration Expertise across disciplinary boundaries, especially with battery researchers, as well as an active contribution to the development of an interdisciplinary research and education environment is important and will be given consideration.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

Further information

In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Instructions for application

For further information about the position, please contact professor Christian Rohner, +46 70 167 9361, christian.rohner@it.uu.se or assistant professor Jens Sjölund, +46 18 471 7840, jens.sjolund@it.uu.se. Information about Compel can be requested to professor Kristina Edström, +46 18 471 3713, kristina.edstrom@kemi.uu.se

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: As agreed

Type of employment: Temporary position.

Scope of employment: 100 %

Please submit your application by May 30 2025, UFV-PA 2025/673.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus.