PhD student in Materials Chemistry with focus on microwave plasma synthesis of carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries

Description

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. 

Duties

We are seeking a PhD student to join the Structural Chemistry research programme at the Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, commencing in 2026. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary project focused on developing biochar as a sustainable feedstock for hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion batteries. In collaboration with Besca AB (https://www.bescacarbon.com/), this project explores microwave plasma technology to efficiently transform biochar into battery-grade hard carbons with controlled characteristics and optimized electrochemical performance. The use of microwave plasma carbonisation will allow for the rapid conversion of biomass into hard carbons, significantly reducing the time and energy required compared to traditional processes. Additionally, the collaborative research aims to identify optimal synthesis conditions to achieve precise control over the structure and electrochemical properties of hard carbon samples derived from local biochar resources.

The specific research direction will be tailored to align with the interests and educational background of the PhD student. Potential areas of focus include materials synthesis and characterisation, the development of new characterisation techniques, electrode fabrication, electrochemical testing, and data-driven modelling to correlate synthesis parameters with material performance. The doctoral student is expected to actively participate in project meetings, publish scientific articles, and contribute to patents where relevant. Under the supervision of both academic and industrial mentors, the student will have the opportunity to independently pursue fundamental and applied research questions. An individual research plan will be established at the start of the position. The doctoral research will be conducted at the Ångström Laboratory with full access to the research and development facilities of both the university and the industrial partner.

Requirements 

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must have

• been awarded a second-cycle degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, materials physics, or a related field, or
• 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

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 

The following skills are considered desirable for this position:

• Practical laboratory experience 
• Basic understanding of electrochemistry or battery technology
• Hands-on experience with biomass valorization or materials characterization
• Experience with plasma or microwave processing of materials
• Knowledge of carbon materials, biochar, or biomass pyrolysis
• Knowledge of sodium- or lithium-ion batteries
• Experience with electrochemical methods 
• Prior experience with data analysis and programming (e.g. Python or Matlab)
• Experience working in industrial or collaborative projects

Conditions

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2026-04-01 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: Habtom Desta Asfaw, habtom.desta.asfaw@kemi.uu.se 

Please submit your application by 26 February 2026, UFV-PA 2026/242.