PhD Research Fellow - Comprehensive Grasp of Electrolyte Depletion in Lithium-Ion Battery

About the position

A 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Ph.D. research fellow in a comprehensive grasp of electrolyte depletion in lithium-ion battery fast charging affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

Responsibilities

Lithium-ion batteries are the most promising technology for electric vehicles and other electronic devices, with the capability of fast charging becoming increasingly relevant. However, continuous fast charging can lead to a reduction in the lifetime of the battery due to mechanisms such as particle cracking, lithium plating and solvent consumption. These challenges are exacerbated by non-uniform lithium storage reactions, which are common in large format cells where variations in concentration and thermal gradient can cause intricate feedback phenomena.

The successful candidate will aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of factors affecting the depletion of electrolyte and its effect on the performance of lithium-ion batteries under fast charging conditions; developing frameworks for optimal cell performance across different cell chemistries, designs and alignment. This will be achieved through the development of a high-fidelity physics-based modelling framework using COMSOL and MATLAB. Here, key electrolyte depletion phenomena will be coupled with the P2D Newman model and extended across 1D – 3D model implementations towards understanding the effect of electrolyte depletion during fast charging of lithium-ion batteries on various cell designs and alignment. These models will be validated experimentally using state-of-the-art facilities in the Battery Coast group at the University of Agder. The candidate will contribute to the development of the growing research activity in electrochemistry and lithium-ion batteries. The candidate should also be self-motivated and enthusiastic as well as contributing to the future research directions of the battery activities.

The position is connected to UiAs battery initiative which co-creates a competence hub for lithium-ion battery research and development in close exchange and collaboration with local industry partners in the south of Norway.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or material sciences, electrical engineering, mathematics, information technology or related field. This year’s candidates/candidates who will finish their master’s degree in the summer can also apply. 
• Experience with COMSOL and MATLAB or any other simulation software.
• Knowledge of electrochemistry.
• Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences. 

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

• Experience in the modelling and simulation of lithium-ion batteries.
• (Co-)Authorship of scientific publications / scientific presentations in the field of modelling and simulation of lithium-ion batteries.

Personal qualities

• Scientific curiosity for elucidating the bottlenecks of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery materials and designs.
• Ability for scientifically rigorous, target-oriented, organized, and independent work.
• Good communication and teamwork skills, inventiveness and a proactive hands-on approach are essential qualifications.
• Applicants are expected to contribute to a safe and inclusive working environment.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
• a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers 
• membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right. 

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

• Certificates with grades
• Master’s thesis
• References
• Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these
• Project description with a maximum scope of x pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, a progress plan, and methods within the given framework
• Any other relevant documentation

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 10.05.24

Contact

For questions about the position:  

• Associate Professor Williams Agyei Appiah, tel. +47 37 23 33 11, e-mail williams.a.appiah@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

• HR Advisor, Linda Heskestad Kristiansen, tel. +47 38 14 11 88, e-mail: linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no