Doctoral student in materials chemistry with focus on synthesis of solid-state electrolyte for solid-state batteries

Description of the workplace

Lund University has since 2022 a close collaboration with a number of other top Swedish universities in battery research within the platform COMPEL (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the transport system). Within the platform, the universities collaborate on research, research infrastructure and education to offer competence and world-leading research in battery technology and power electronics.

At the Faculty of Engineering (LTH) of Lund University, COMPEL is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing research environments in battery technology and electrification to complement relevant research at other institutions, building on our strengths. COMPEL at Lund University initially includes researchers from ten departments, and three areas of research have been identified for strategic development: materials research, integration of batteries with power electronics, and safe energy storage.

This PhD position is associated with the COMPEL platform located at the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry conducts research in all core areas of chemistry with a broad theme of research for a sustainable society. Potential synergies between the current position and key research areas within the department include synthesis and characterisation of organic, inorganic and polymer molecules and materials for catalysis, photovoltaics, energy storage and conversion applications, among other areas.  

Subject description

The subject covers third-cycle education in the area of materials chemistry. The research areas overlap to some extent with the research subject of inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and physics. The research focuses on development of novel all-inorganic composite solid electrolytes for solid state batteries founded on halide-based solid electrolytes, enabling high ionic conductivity and high anode stability. Collaboration with researchers in other areas of chemistry, physics, and other engineering subjects is an important part of the third-cycle programme.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

As part of this research project, your primary responsibilities will include developing composite solid-state electrolytes, designing a stable anode-electrolyte buffer layer, and demonstrating a fully operational solid-state battery at low pressure. You will utilize X-ray, Raman, DRT, and GITT experiments to study the structural and transport properties of the solid-state battery. The project aims to address a key challenge in solid-state battery development: overcoming kinetic limitations and interphase stability.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Synthesize inorganic materials using methods such as solid-state synthesis and analyze their structure via Rietveld refinement of powder diffraction data.
• Conduct electrochemical characterization, including EIS, DRT, and GITT diffusion kinetics and transport properties and charge/discharge testing of full solid-state battery cells.
• Perform structural, thermal, and morphological characterization using powder diffraction, thermal analysis (TG, DSC), and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM).
• Carry out in situ and operando studies using synchrotron XRD and XAS.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in materials chemistry if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits of relevance to the subject area, of which at least 15 credits from the second cycle and a specialised project of at least 15 second-cycle credits in the subject, or
• an MSc in Chemical Engineering or Engineering Nanoscience

Additional requirements:

• good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Course or demonstrated knowledge of solid-state batteries
• Prior experience of electrochemical characterizations, for example EIS, DRT, and GITT
• Prior experience of scanning electron microscopy
• Knowledge of other relevant material characterization techniques, for example X-ray diffraction and spectroscopies (absorption, photoelectron emission)

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!