PhD Research Fellow in similarities and Differences in Laboratory and Commercial Lithium-Ion Battery

About the position

A 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Ph.D. research fellow in the field of lithium-ion battery cell research affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located at the Battery Research Center at campus Grimstad. It is possible to include a research stay in industry or another academic institute (European or international) during the Ph.D. program. The starting date is as soon as possible or to be negotiated with the faculty.

The Ph.D. research fellow will become a part of the newly created UiA battery initiative which co-creates a competence hub for lithium-ion battery research and development in close exchange and collaboration with local industry partners in the south of Norway.

Responsibilities

This position focuses on comparing aging mechanisms in typical laboratory cell formats, such as coin cells, with larger commercially available lithium-ion cells, such as the 18650/21700 formats. While the fundamental chemistry of side reactions is mostly format-independent, differences in the cell dimensions and mechanical properties are expected to give rise to format-specific aging mechanisms in large-format commercial cells.

The candidate will contribute to the development of the growing research activity in electrochemistry and lithium-ion batteries. We are looking for a highly motivated research fellow interested in shaping his/her own project as well as contributing to the future research directions of the battery activities.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, material sciences, electrical engineering or related field. This year’s candidates/candidates who will finish their master’s degree in the summer can also apply.
• Experience in experimental work in chemistry, physics or battery laboratory.
• Experience with lithium-ion cells or similar cell chemistries or other concepts of electrochemical energy storage or conversion.
• Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Engineering Sciences, Scientific Field Renewable Energy. 

Further provisions relating to the positions as Ph.D. Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

• Experience in fundamentals of electrochemistry.
• Experience with Matlab helpful.
• Optionally: (co-) authorship of scientific publications / scientific presentations in the field of electrochemistry or lithium-ion batteries.

Personal qualities

• Scientific curiosity for elucidating the bottlenecks of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery materials and designs.
• Ability for scientifically rigorous, target-oriented, organized, and independent work.
• Good communication and teamwork skills, inventiveness and a proactive hands-on approach are essential qualifications. 
• Applicants are expected to contribute to a safe and inclusive working environment.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• Professional development in a large, exciting, and socially influential organisation 
• A positive, inclusive, and diverse working environment 
• Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers 
• Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 Ph.D. Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. 

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability, or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically. Only applicants who completely submitted the required documents can be considered: 

• Certificates with grades.
• Master’s thesis (For those who are in the final stage of the master’s education but without a master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later).
• Contact details for 2-3 references (no written references needed at time of application).
• Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any).
• Any other relevant documentation.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. 

Application deadline: 13.12.24

Contact

For questions about the position: 

• Associate Professor Johannes Wandt, tel. +47 37 23 37 38, e-mail johannes.wandt@uia.no 

For questions about the application process:

• HR Advisor, Linda Heskestad Kristiansen, tel. +47 38 14 11 88, e-mail: linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no 

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?