PhD student in ionic thermoelectric materials and electrochemistry

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 work with ionic thermoelectric materials and electrochemistry, focusing on developing and studying advanced electrolytes and redox-active material systems for next-generation thermal energy harvesting technology.

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

Your duties

As a PhD student, you will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral education. Your duties include, among other things:

• Development and characterization of quasi-solid-phase based ionic thermoelectric materials, including polymer-based gel electrolytes.
• Studies of ion-polymer interactions, ion transport, and thermoelectric properties.
• Selection and electrochemical characterization of redox-active materials for thermal energy conversion.
• Integration of developed materials into soft and deformable components for energy harvesting.
• Characterization and optimization of thermoelectric, electrochemical, and energy conversion performance of materials and components.
• Contribution to scalable manufacturing of multi-cell components as well as validation with representative low-grade heat sources.
• 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.

As a PhD student, you devote yourself to your doctoral education 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.

Your qualifications

You have completed a degree at an advanced level in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or another area assessed as relevant to the project, or alternatively have completed courses of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp 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 are:

• Strong academic background in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of electrochemistry and electrochemical materials or components.
• Practical experience in material preparation and/or electrochemical 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 are:

• Electrolytes, hydrogels, ionogels, eutectogels, or other polymer electrolyte systems.
• Redox chemistry, batteries, redox flow batteries, or other electrochemical energy storage and energy conversion systems.
• Ion transport, ion-polymer interactions, or related transport phenomena in soft materials.
• Electrochemical characterization techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Ionic thermoelectric materials, thermoelectric materials and components, or thermal energy harvesting.
• Manufacturing and characterization of flexible, soft, or deformable electrochemical components.

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with a great interest in electrochemistry, ion 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

In connection with your appointment to the 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. For special reasons, 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.

Start date 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 35,300 SEK/month (2025 salary scale). The salary is adjusted annually in connection with the salary review, as well as when the PhD student has completed 30% and 60% of their doctoral studies. 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 be provided to Linköping University no later than October 30, 2026. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.