Doctoral student in sodium-ion batteries – hard carbon and its interphases - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Chemical Science and Engineering

Sodium-ion batteries are potentially a low-price and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries simply because sodium is more abundant than lithium. In sodium-ion batteries, the negative electrode material is typically hard carbon which, unlike graphite used in lithium-ion batteries, is a more disordered and unexplored material. Mixing silicon into the electrode can likely increase the capacity, but more knowledge is needed about how the materials work together in the electrode, and how sodium ions are taken up, stored, and released, as well as how the interaction with the electrolyte and other components in the electrode affects these processes. In the project, we want to use a flora of spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques such as MS, FTIR, XPS, NMR, GITT and EIS, preferably in combination in situ or in operando. The project is a collaboration between KTH Stockholm and NTNU in Trondheim and is part of a battery research school between the five largest technical universities in the Nordics, Nordic 5 Tech. The collaboration means that the doctoral student will be supervised and spend periods at both universities and will attend Nordic 5 Tech activities and courses.

Supervision:  Rakel Wreland Lindström & Göran Lindbergh, KTH, and Ann-Mari Svensson, NTNU is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

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.
• 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.

Admission requirements

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 second cycle degree (for example a master's degree or civil engineering) in the relevant area such as chemical engineering, chemistry, material science and nanotechnology etc., or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
• Master degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, material science, nanotechnology or similar. Knowledge in electrochemistry is an advantage.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

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 in electrochemistry and battery is an advantage.

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

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. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

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/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge and contact information to two references.
• 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. Copies of originals must be certified.
• 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.

According to The Protective Security Act (2018-585), the candidate must undergo and pass security vetting if the position is placed in a security class. Information regarding whether the position is subject to such a classification will be provided during the recruitment process.

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.