Postdoc in solid-state batteries – Precision manufacturing

Duties

The next leap in battery development is expected to be lithium solid-state batteries (SSB). The concept allows the flammable organic electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries to be replaced by a safer and more compact solid electrolyte. Within the framework of the Swedish government battery initiative COMPEL, which aims to support competence and excellence in battery research and education for the transport sector, KTH is mobilizing with a coordinated initiative on composite-SSB with seven postdoc positions from several disciplines focusing on different aspects along the battery value chain, ranging from synthesis, cell manufacturing, characterization, modeling to scaled-up production. The two-year postdoc project: Scalable production of solid-state batteries through precision manufacturing will be conducted at the Division of Production Engineering ITM. The project offers the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research at the interface between precision manufacturing and metrology, production engineering and digital production, applied to solid-state batteries. The goal is to investigate how high manufacturing precision can reduce process variations, reduce process-induced errors and increase robustness in the manufacturing process and how variations arise and propagate through the entire manufacturing chain, from production equipment performance and component processing to cell assembly, as well as how these can be characterized, quantified and controlled. A central goal is to develop measurement-based methods that describe the relationship between manufacturing precision, process capability and product quality. Precision metrology and integrated quality control will be used to identify critical process parameters, analyze error sources and establish manufacturing tolerances that enable robust production. Advanced measurement and non-destructive testing methods, including optical and laser-based measurement technology, industrial X-ray tomography (CT) and ultrasonic technology, will be used to monitor process stability and identify defects at different stages of the manufacturing process. The collected measurement data can be combined with process models and digital engineering tools to support tolerance analysis, process analysis and continuous improvement. The expected result of the project is new methods to reduce manufacturing variations, improve process capability and enable reliable industrial scaling of the production of solid-state batteries.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A completed doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree, in systems engineering, mechanical engineering, production engineering, or a related field, with experience in manufacturing technology, precision manufacturing or industrial metrology. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than when the employment decision is made.
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English as it is required in daily work.
• Good theoretical and practical abilities.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality.

Meritorious

• At the time of the application deadline, no more than three years since the doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree was obtained.
• Experience of solid-state batteries and good knowledge of battery manufacturing.
• Practical experience in precision manufacturing, metrology and quality control.
• Demonstrate an innovative mindset, creativity and the ability to work independently.
• Good collaborative skills and the ability and interest in working in a team.

We will place great emphasis on personal qualities.

Become a part of KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and contributing to the transition to a sustainable society. Here you are offered the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are a matter of quality and an inherent part of KTH's values as a university and a government agency.

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Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application shall include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in a Western European language.
• A brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. max 1 page long.
• Contacts for references or letters of recommendation.

The application must reach KTH no later than the application deadline at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The employment is permanent, however for a maximum of two years.

An employment as a postdoc is a fixed-term merit-building employment primarily focused on research intended as a first career step after graduation.

Other

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