Research Assistant/Associate in Development and use of optical microscopy to study battery materials

to study battery materials

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in use of optical microscopy to study electrochemical processes in battery electrode materials. The successful candidates will work between the groups of Prof. Akshay Rao (https: // rao.oe.phy.cam.ac.uk/) and Prof. Dame Clare Grey (https: // www. ch.cam.ac.uk/group/grey/index), and build on our recent advances is developing optical microscopy as a new high-throughput operando characterisation tool to study ion transport, phase transitions and degradation in battery electrodes, both at the single-particle level and also across the electrode References 1-3.

The successful candidates will join our growing interdisciplinary team and work in close collaboration with experimental and modelling groups around the UK via the Faraday Institution Degradation Project (https: // degradationproject.com/). The role-holder will be expected to participate actively in collaborations with other post-doctoral researchers and PhD students working within the Faraday Degradation project.

The ideal candidate should have a PhD in Chemistry, Physics or a related area, and a strong background in either (i) electrochemistry and battery material characterisation especially operando characterisation or (ii) optical microscopy of nanoscale systems with emphasis on microscopy methodology development. A strong track record of high-quality research and an excellent publication record are essential. The ability to work well in a team will be crucial as projects will be highly collaborative, involving multiple universities and industrial partners. Experience with microscopy techniques and data analysis of large microscopy datasets would be an advantage.

Appointment at Research Associate is dependent on having a PhD including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD (in which case appointment will initially be made at Research Assistant and amended to Research Associate when the PhD is awarded).

Salary: £32,982 - £36,024 pa

The position will start in April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter for a period of 12 months.

References:

Merryweather et al., Nature, 2021, https: // doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03584-2

Merryweather et al., Nature Materials, 2022, https: // doi.org/10.1038/s41563-022-01324-z

Xu et al., Joule, 2022 https: // www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542435122004743

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter and publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Informal enquiries about the position can be addressed to Prof Akshay Rao via email on [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 23rd February 2024

Please quote reference KA40407 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

We particularly encourage candidates from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM subjects to apply.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Department of Physics

£29,605-£33,966

KA40407

Research

5 February 2024

23 February 2024