PhD student in Mixed Cation Battery Electrolytes

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: Chemistry - Ångström - laboratory

Duties
The electrolyte is a central component in all rechargeable batteries. Something quite unusual within battery (electrolyte) research is concepts that combine several different active cations – which is the primary focus for this PhD project. The overall aim is to understand how to design and optimize the ionic conductivity, but also optimize basic battery performance. The methods to be employed are primarily physico-chemical characterization, to achieve composition-structure-dynamics correlations and expanded understanding for further rational design, as well as to construct electrochemical cells and test them.

The PhD student will be part of Prof. Patrik Johansson's new research group at Uppsala University, which is itself part of the research environment Ångström Advanced Battery Centre (ÅABC). This fundamental, yet application-inspired, research project connects to national and international collaborations and is funded by the Swedish Research Council within the framework of a Distinguished Professorship Grant for "Next Generation Batteries".

Requirements
The candidate must have:

• a Master's degree in chemistry (or related disciplines) and possess a good understanding of physical chemistry and materials chemistry, 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, with content that is relevant to the doctoral education or
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• must have excellent capabilities in written and oral English
• knowledge and skills in the atomic and molecular structure of materials.

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

• previous experience of and skills in experimental analysis of disordered materials, such as glasses, polymers and liquids
• previous experience of battery and electrolyte chemistry and technology
• previous experience of electrochemical methods for battery evaluation

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2025-09-01 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:
Prof. Patrik Johansson, patrik.johansson@kemi.uu.se and
Assoc. Prof. Jonas Mindemark, jonas.mindemark@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 23 June 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1789.

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