PhD student in mixed ionic-electronic materials

Research Area

The current position is part of the project HEAT-BRIDGE (High-Efficiency Thermal Energy Harvesting via Ionic Thermoelectric–Electronic Bridging), which is funded through an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The project's goal is to develop new methods for the efficient conversion of low-grade heat into electricity.

Low-grade heat is available in large quantities in our environment, from the human body and electronic components to industrial processes, but is difficult to utilize with today's technology. HEAT-BRIDGE meets this challenge by combining ionic thermoelectric materials, electrochemistry, mixed ionic-electronic materials, and soft electronics to explore new pathways for energy conversion. The project includes fundamental studies of materials and transport phenomena, advanced functional materials, as well as the development of soft and deformable energy harvesting components.

You will focus on mixed ionic-electronic conducting materials (MIEC materials) and their integration into soft electrochemical components for next-generation thermal energy harvesting technology.

We are advertising two PhD positions within the HEAT-BRIDGE project, but a person can only be appointed to one of the two positions.

Your Tasks

As a PhD student, you will dedicate yourself to your doctoral studies and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental duties, up to 20 percent of full-time employment.

The tasks include, among others:

• Development and characterization of soft MIEC materials.
• Development and characterization of functional separation materials.
• Studies of electronic and ionic transport as well as the relationship between structure and properties in functional materials.
• Integration of developed materials into soft and deformable components for thermal energy harvesting.
• Characterization and optimization of the electrical, electrochemical, mechanical, and energy conversion performance of the materials and components.
• Fabrication and validation of multi-cell components under representative low-grade heat sources and realistic operating conditions.
• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, publication of results in scientific journals, presentation at international conferences, as well as collaboration with national and international research partners.

Your Qualifications

You have completed a degree at an advanced level in physics, materials science, engineering physics, chemical engineering, or another area deemed relevant to the project, or alternatively completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at an advanced level in an area relevant to the position. You may also have acquired equivalent knowledge in other ways.

Requirements for the employment;

• Strong academic background in physics, materials science, engineering physics, chemical engineering, or related fields.
• Knowledge of electronic and/or ionic transport in functional materials.
• Practical experience in material synthesis, component fabrication, and/or physical characterization.
• Ability to communicate well in English, both orally and in writing (all research at LOE is conducted in English).

Meritorious experiences for the employment;

• Mixed ionic-electronic conductors, conducting polymers, carbon-based materials, or other functional electronic materials.
• Polymer composites, functional soft materials, membranes, separators, or other materials for electrochemical components.
• Characterization of electrical and ionic transport in functional materials.
• Structure and morphology characterization using, for example, electron microscopy, X-ray-based techniques, or similar methods.
• Thermoelectric materials and components or thermal energy harvesting.
• Fabrication and characterization of flexible, soft, or deformable electronic or electrochemical components.

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with a great interest in functional materials, charge transport, and energy conversion. The project explores a new and challenging component concept and therefore requires creativity, perseverance, and good problem-solving skills.

You must be able to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with researchers from different scientific fields. Good communication skills and a willingness to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries are important qualities.

Great importance will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

Your Workplace

You will work under the supervision of Assistant Professor Nara Kim at the Laboratory for Organic Electronics (LOE), Linköping University.

Nara Kim's research focuses on mixed ionic-electronic conductors, thermoelectric materials, electrochemical energy devices, and wearable electronics. The research spans from fundamental materials science and charge transport to the development and integration of components and systems. She has received significant competitive research funding, including an ERC Starting Grant, grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR), and from the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE).

About the Employment

Upon commencement of employment, you will be admitted to the doctoral program. Read more about the respective faculty's doctoral education https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning

The employment is time-limited to normally four years full-time. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the degree of teaching and departmental duties. Under special circumstances, further extension may occur. You will initially be employed for one year, and thereafter the employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan.

Commencement in February/March 2027 or as agreed.

Salary and Benefits

The PhD salary is regulated according to a locally agreed salary scale.

The starting salary for our PhD students is currently 35,300 SEK per month. This level will be increased in connection with the annual salary revision in October. As a PhD student, the salary is also increased after 30 percent and 60 percent of the doctoral studies have been completed, respectively.

Read more about benefits for employees https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner.

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than October 30, 2026.

Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.