Doctoral student in applied electrochemistry - second life batteries - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Chemical Engineering

Mass production of electric vehicles will generate used battery cells that must be taken care of in a sustainable way. Since the requirements of mileage, and safety are high, batteries are likely to be taken out of service long before they are completely worn out. An option is to reuse the cells in a less demanding application such as for energy storage stabilizing the intermittent electricity production from renewable wind and solar sources in the grid.

The project aims to investigate if and how aged vehicle lithium-ion cells could be used for energy storage in the electricity grid. It is expected that side reactions, including those that give rise to gas evolution, will be an increasing problem in aged batteries. The project will specially focus on battery aging and gas evolution during the later life of the battery. The investigations will mainly be performed using electrochemical methods and on-line mass spectrometry. The project is funded by Batterifonden and will be carried out in collaboration with Scania and Vattenfall and with other projects on battery ageing in the group.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be placed at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and supervised by Rakel Wreland Lindström, Applied Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe’s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• Scientific research for you with a genuin interest and curiousity for multi-desiplinary problems in the context of sustainable energy.

Eligibility
To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
  The applicant should have a Master of Science or Civil Engineer degree in chemical engineering, engineering physics (engineering science), physical chemistry or a related field. 

Selection
In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English are required. Knowledge in Swedish language is an advantage. Good background knowledge in electrochemistry and masspectrometry is appreciated but not a must.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment
Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may there after be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives
You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.
Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application
Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.
Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).
Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information
Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.
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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.