Postdoctoral position in AI-driven remanufacturing of battery cells

Electrification and digitalisation are among the largest areas for the future in the conversion to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering conducts successful research and education in the areas - renewable energy sources, electric vehicles and industrial robotics, industrial IoT, 6G communication and wireless sensor networks as well as research and education within Life Science, smart electronic sensors and medical systems. The Department of Electrical Engineering is an international workplace with around 160 employees that all contribute to important technical energy and health solutions at the Ångström Laboratory.

Chemistry is an important key in the development towards a more sustainable society. The Department of Chemistry conducts research within six research programmes and offer both undergraduate and graduate education in close collaboration with other departments. We research next-generation batteries, more efficient solar cells, more environmentally friendly hydrogen, and materials that can replace critical elements. In addition to energy-related research, we also develop chemistry for biomaterials and drugs for medical treatments.

Come and work with us!
The position will be at the Division of Electricity, at the Department of Electrical Engineering. Here you will find a friendly work environment with a dedicated colleague and a variety of experimental projects. The Division works in collaboration with Swedish companies - public and private - and stakeholders in the different fields of research. We look forward to receiving your application. Join us and build the future with us!

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University.

Project description

Rechargeable batteries are a key enabler for transitioning to a carbon-neutral future. Considering the enormous amounts of battery materials needed – e.g. for electrification of the vehicle industry – sustainability in materials and processes is of the highest importance. Regardless of the battery chemistry understudy, a circular battery value chain relies on efficient recycling. Current industrial recycling is mainly based on pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods, or a combination of those, to recover critical elements as well as elements that should not be released into the environment. Those methods are however energy, water, and chemical intense.

In this project, we aim to investigate and demonstrate an AI-driven automated solution for the potentially more sustainable process of direct remanufacturing. First, a circular robotic process is established in the form of a self-driving lab where Li-ion cells are manufactured, tested, analysed, disassembled, components washed, and remanufactured. The established process is optimized considering the chemical process solutions during electrode washing. Finally, the process is evaluated regarding potential for scaling to larger battery formats relevant for the vehicle industry. The research project is a collaboration between the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry within the battery initiative Compel.

Duties

• Research within the presented research project by performing development and programming of flexible automated solution based on an industrial robot, development of chemical process solutions for repurposing of electrodes, and integration of AI-based vision and active machine learning to optimize the efficiency of the process.
• Writing publications and present research results from the project on conferences.
• Collaboration with partners in the research project.
• The work duties can also include teaching. No more than 20%.

Qualifications required

• The applicant must hold a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in electrical engineering, chemical engineering, engineering physics or similar.
• The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.
• Good knowledge and practical experience in at least one of the following areas: automation/robotics, battery chemistry.
• Declared interest in acquiring new knowledge during the course of the project for any gaps in the areas in the point above.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

We will put an emphasise in your personal qualities such as good collaborations and communication skills with other researchers. You should be goal-oriented, self-driven, structured, have good problem-solving and analytical skills, and be able to work effectively both individually and in groups.

Qualifications desired

• Previous experience with self-driving labs and AI-driven experimental design is a merit.
• Completed academic teacher training course is a merit.
• Experience in teaching subjects related to electrical engineering, primarily automation engineering, is a merit.

About the employment

Application: Please use the link below. You should include a brief description of your research interests and relevant experience, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. You are encouraged to provide contact information to reference.

Salary: Individual salary setting.

Starting date: 2026-02-02 or as agreed.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for two years according to the central collective agreement.

Scope of employment: 100%

For further information about the position, please contact:
Erik Hultman (Electrical Engineering), erik.hultman@angstrom.uu.se, and
Erik Berg (Chemistry), erik.berg@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application no later than 12 January 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3842.