Two PhD Research Fellows in accelerated aging of Lithium-Ion Batteries

About the position

Two 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Ph.D. research fellows in accelerated aging of lithium-ion batteries affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at battery research center at campus Grimstad. The starting date is as soon as possible or to be negotiated with the faculty.

The Ph.D. research fellows will become a part of the UiA battery initiative, 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

In this position, the candidates will work to develop new methods for accelerating the study of aging in commercial Li-ion battery cells and determining implications for cell calendar and cycle lifetimes. This includes further study of known degradation mechanisms of battery cells and the elucidation of new degradation mechanisms, working towards the development of long-lifetime Li-ion battery technology. In addition to cell testing and analysis, post-mortem material and electrochemical testing of battery components will be carried out to further analyze degradation mechanisms.

Candidates will join a growing battery technology research group at the University of Agder working on exciting, application-relevant research projects. 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.

Candidates will be expected to present the results of their research at local and international academic conferences.

Required qualifications

• Master’s Degree in chemistry, physics, material science, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field. Candidates who will finish their master’s degree in 2024 can also apply for this position. 
• Experience in battery cell testing and analysis, battery electrochemistry, or materials science.
• Experience with data analysis in Matlab, Python, and/or a related programming language.
• 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

• (Co-)Authorship of scientific publications / scientific presentations in the field of electrochemistry or batteries.
• Experience with computer aided design (CAD) software programs (e.g. SolidWorks) or test equipment design is desired but not required.

Personal qualities

• Candidates should be self-motivated and able to effectively work independently
• Ability to organize and communicate results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Candidates are expected to be able to work effectively in a team setting.
• Good project management and organizational skills.
• Applicants are expected to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• Professional development in a growing and exciting international research community
• 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: 

• Cover letter including a description of previous research experience and motivation for applying for this position (1 page max).
• University transcripts 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 3 references (no written references needed at time of application).
• Summary of peer-reviewed scientific contributions (if any).
• Project proposal (max 2 pages with references).
• 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: 01.12.24

Contact

For questions about the position: 

• Associate Professor Eric Logan, tel. +47 40 33 53 32, e-mail: eric.r.logan@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?