Postdoc in solid halide electrolytes: ion transport and interface stability
Description
The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education within the subject of chemistry. The department has 270 employees and a turnover of 300 million SEK. At the department's six programs, very successful research of high international class is conducted. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international collaboration, and we see continued good growth within our subject area. The department has an educational mandate within engineering and civil engineering programs as well as master's programs. More information can be found on our website.
The Department of Chemistry at Ångströmlaboratoriet has for a long time been home to a leading research and development environment for materials for energy storage and their applications: Ångström Advanced Battery Centre. We develop new electrode and electrolyte materials, characterize and evaluate their properties, and improve their performance in battery applications. Furthermore, we study fundamental chemical processes and material properties using both experimental and computational methods. The research spans from fundamental research to applied research.
Tasks
The project focuses on the discovery and development of new halide-based solid electrolytes for use in all-solid-state batteries. Halide-based solid electrolytes are a promising class of materials thanks to their high lithium-ion conductivity and potential compatibility with high-voltage cathode materials. However, their practical application is often limited by insufficient chemical and electrochemical stability at the interface between the negative electrode and the electrolyte.
The overall goal of the project is to develop a fundamental understanding of the origin of these stability limitations and to use this knowledge to guide the design of new halide-based compositions that combine high lithium-ion conductivity with improved chemical and electrochemical stability.
A central goal is to establish correlations between composition, structure, ion transport properties, and stability. The work will include the synthesis of new solid electrolytes as well as investigation of the mechanisms that govern their degradation and interfacial reactions with battery electrode materials. Based on this understanding, new compositions and strategies for material design will be investigated to overcome the existing trade-off between high ionic conductivity and stability. The research will thus combine materials synthesis, structural and electrochemical characterization, as well as electrochemical testing in battery cells.
The main tasks are to conduct research. The employment may also include teaching up to 20% of the working time, as well as supervision of and collaboration with doctoral and master's students.
Qualifications
A doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree. The degree must be obtained no later than the time of the decision on employment.
Normally, the doctoral degree should have been obtained within the last three years, counting from the last application date. Under special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier.
In the assessment of applications, special weight will be placed on the applicant's ability to conduct independent research and scientific skill.
The applicant must have documented experience in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic solid-state materials, including structural characterization with, for example, X-ray and neutron diffraction, as well as characterization of ion transport using impedance spectroscopy. Experience in handling air- and moisture-sensitive materials and working under an inert atmosphere, as well as experience in the assembly and electrochemical testing of battery cells, is a requirement.
The applicant must also have:
very good ability to express themselves orally and in writing in English, good organizational and time-planning skills, good proficiency in basic IT tools for data analysis, documentation, and scientific writing.
In the assessment, good collaborative skills, drive, and independence will also be considered, as well as how the applicant's experiences and competencies complement and strengthen the ongoing research at the department and how the applicant can be expected to contribute to its future development.
Merit
Experience of physico-chemical characterization methods, for example NMR and XPS, is meritorious. Experience of, for example, Origin or similar software is meritorious.
Terms
The employment is fixed-term for two years according to central agreement. The scope is full-time. Start date by agreement. Location: Uppsala
Information about the employment is provided by: Xabier Martinez de Irujo-Labalde, xabier.martinezdeirujolabalde@kemi.uu.se
Welcome with your application no later than September 30, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2527.
Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University
https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/
The employment may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, approval of the applicant is a prerequisite for employment.
We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.
Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.
Union representatives: Saco-S - saco-s@uu.se, Seko - seko@uadm.uu.se, ST (OFR/S) - ofr@uu.se