Visiting Research Fellowship: Battery Materials

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months only.

Applications are invited from early career researchers currently based in Chile or Argentina for a six-month Visiting Research Fellowship to work in battery materials research in the research group led by Prof. Dame Clare Grey at the University of Cambridge. This is part of a programme funded by the Faraday Institution (FI) to promote scientific links between the UK, Chile and Argentina (see: https: // www. faraday.ac.uk/opportunities/visiting research fellowshipsjan2024/)

The project will investigate the (de)lithiation kinetics and mechanisms of a series of materials to include high-nickel and phosphate cathode materials. Different cathode battery chemistries will be examined, focusing on how degradation influences lithium ion intercalation dynamics, working towards linking degradation phenomena with reduced rate capability and energy efficiency. Special attention will be devoted to understanding the role of phase transformations in new cathode materials during cycling. The project will contribute to advanced models capturing the intricate coupling between ion and electron transfer processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop electrochemical testing methods based on impedance spectroscopy along with advanced data analysis and modelling to build an accurate description of the intercalation processes. The successful candidate will have a good knowledge of electrochemical methods (potentiometry, amperometry, CV, EIS, GITT) and a good understanding of the theory of electrochemical processes to be able develop the data analysis and interpretation. Further experience with materials characterization techniques, such as NMR, XRD and SEM, and battery research are also beneficial.

Further information about the Grey group is at: https: // www. ch.cam.ac.uk/group/grey

The Fellowship will play an active part in the FI's Degradation project (see: https: // degradationproject.com/). The Fellow will be able to participate in regular relevant FI meetings with other UK research groups researching battery technologies.

The fellowship will run for up to six months, and provides a financial package including return flights, visa fees, and allowances to cover living costs and accommodation in the UK.

Applicants should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline, and should be early-career researchers at post-doctoral level. Candidates should be based in Chile or Argentina at the time of application and have funding secured throughout the fellowship period (e.g. through ongoing employment at their current institution). Individuals who already have permanent contracts, or are already living, working, or extensively researching in the UK are not eligible for the Fellowship.

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 covering 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.

For any queries about this fellowship, please contact Dr Gabriela Horwitz by email at [email protected].

Please quote reference MA40297 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.

Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

MA40297

Research

27 January 2024

29 February 2024