Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Chemistry programme. The position is available from August 2024 or later.

Title:
Structure-property relations of disordered electrode materials for rechargeable batteries

Research area and project description:
Electrodes for ion batteries are typically crystalline materials with well-defined channels for ion migration. Still, the electrode structures inherently include some disorder, which may originate from material preparation or, to a larger extent, be induced by the ion-intercalation process during battery charge and discharge. In the past, the disordered parts of the electrodes have been largely overlooked.

New developments in methods for structural characterization now allow us to gain unprecedented knowledge of the disordered parts of the materials and thereby obtain a holistic view of battery electrode structures. In this Ph.D. project, structural disorder in selected transition metal oxide electrodes for Li- and Na-ion batteries will be explored, with a focus on relating the electrochemical performance to the atomic-scale structure.

The project will involve:

• Material synthesis
• X-ray and electron diffraction
• Pair distribution function analysis
• Electrode and battery preparation
• Electrochemistry
• Operando characterization
   

For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences:
The applicants must, at the time of employment, have completed at least one year of a relevant Master’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science or a related topic.

The applicant must have experience with inorganic chemistry, X-ray diffraction and preferably also electrochemistry or battery related science. 

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Chemistry. Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. 

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Dorthe Ravnsbæk, dorthe@chem.au.dk

How to apply:

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.

When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2024)

1. Choose May 2024 Call with deadline 1 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Chemistry”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Structure-property relations of disordered electrode materials for rechargeable batteries (Srdemr)”

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.