Doctoral student in life cycle analysis for stationary battery systems - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Energy Technology

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) in stationary energy storage systems (SESS) are a core solution to support the grid in response to the increasing trends for electrification, decentralization and integration of renewables. SESS can be seen as a near-term enabler of the climate agenda in Sweden, and globally. However, the environmental impact resulting from the use of LIB in SESS has not been broadly studied, and there is a lack of common methodologies and standards for applying replicable life-cycle analyses (LCA) for the specific SESS applications, leading to inconsistent and unreliable results or conclusions. The aim of this PhD project is to develop, verify and assess a new cradle-to-grave LCA methodology tailored for environmental impact assessment of SESS, including steps tailored to the specific SESS use-stages and end-of-life alternatives (e.g. recycling). At last, the project aims to provide general recommendations for policy makers, nationally and in EU, towards new SESS LCA standards in the energy storage industry. The project is a collaboration between KTH and Northvolt AB.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be supervised by prof. Björn Laumert (main supervisor), Dr. Rafael Guédez and Dr. Monika Topel.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• 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, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

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
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
• Requirements for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here.
• Completed courses or course modules in life cycle assessment and energy systems modeling are a requirement for admission to the specified subject within the associated doctoral program.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• Knowledge of electrochemical energy storage, acquired through completed courses or course modules or in other documented experience, is considered a merit.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

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)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is 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

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.