Postdoc in the Physics of Energy Materials

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of Uppsala University's largest with nearly 400 employees, including approximately 125 doctoral students. The department conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. Research is conducted at ten research departments and covers everything from the unimaginably small to the large within, for example, energy supply, climate development, new materials, and the universe. This entire spectrum is also reflected in the department's courses and educational programs. Around 2,500 students study courses at undergraduate and advanced levels every year at uu.se/fysik

The Department of X-ray Photon Science is a world leader in the development and use of advanced X-ray methods to study materials through the interaction between light and matter. This places us at the forefront of studies at the atomic level of atoms, molecules, and condensed matter. The department includes the research program Physics of Energy Materials, with a particular focus on the study and development of materials, surfaces, and interfaces of importance for various energy applications, with the overall goal of contributing to the development of a sustainable society.

This recruitment is linked to COMPEL (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the Transport System), a strategic initiative from the Swedish government to ensure Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and the electrification of the transport sector. The platform integrates research and education along the entire battery value chain and offers an interdisciplinary network for collaboration. Within the framework of COMPEL, researchers early in their careers with various competencies within all parts of the battery value chain are recruited, with the vision of creating a unique interdisciplinary research and education environment. The initiative is built on strong collaboration between academic institutions and industrial partners to promote research, development, and innovation.

The employee is expected to actively participate in national COMPEL activities such as seminars, courses, research visits, strategic meetings, and other activities aimed at promoting strong interdisciplinary and international networks between doctoral students, postdocs, researchers, and industry, as well as creating good conditions for future career development.

The position is located at the Department of X-ray Photon Science within the research program Physics of Energy Materials. The research is conducted in close collaboration with BatMAX, a national research platform for battery research operating at the MAX IV laboratory, which brings together leading expertise in advanced synchrotron-based methods, battery materials, and electrochemical characterization to accelerate the development of future sustainable batteries. The research environment also includes LigHt at the Tandemlaboratoriet, where advanced X-ray and ion-based methods complement experiments at MAX IV.

A significant part of the work will be located at the MAX IV laboratory in Lund, where the employee will work closely with both researchers within BatMAX as well as those responsible for relevant beamlines and international users of the facility.

We are seeking a candidate who will develop and use operando and in situ methods for battery research, focusing on photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study chemical, electronic, and interface-related processes in battery materials during operation. The studies will also include other synchrotron light-based methods, such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), to follow structural changes in the materials.

The candidate will be part of a broad research environment in X-ray spectroscopy within the research program Physics of Energy Materials, which actively collaborates within the COMPEL network and is united by the common goal of strengthening the battery value chain in Sweden.

Tasks

The main task is research, with the possibility of up to 20% teaching. Specific tasks:

• Battery design and cell development
• Operando X-ray-based measurement methods at both internal laboratories and synchrotron light sources, primarily MAX IV.
• Analysis of spectroscopic data on battery samples.
• Writing and publishing scientific articles.
• Participation in COMPEL activities throughout Sweden.

Qualification requirements

A doctoral degree in physics, chemistry, or materials science, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree in physics, chemistry, or materials science. The degree must be completed no later than when the employment decision is made. Primarily, those who have obtained their degree no more than three years ago should apply. When calculating the three-year period, the starting point is the last application date. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, etc.

Good communicative skills in speech and writing in English are required.

Other desirable/merit qualifications

Great importance will be placed on good collaborative skills, initiative, and independence, as well as the applicant's experience and potential within the relevant research area. Experience with synchrotron light-based experiments on energy materials is particularly meritorious. Experience with energy materials, instrument development, or advanced instrument handling is also meritorious.

About the employment

The employment is fixed-term for 2 years according to the central collective agreement. The scope is full-time/100%. Start date by agreement. Location: Uppsala and Lund

Information about the employment is provided by: Håkan Rensmo, +46 701679145, hakan.rensmo@physics.uu.se, Maria Hahlin, +46 730925100, maria.hahlin@physics.uu.se

Welcome with your application no later than October 30, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2804.

Please note that this is a shortened version of the advertisement. To see the full advertisement, please click "Apply here" or see Uppsala University's website for job advertisements.