Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in battery materials is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Norway.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The preferred starting date is August 1, 2023.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25% that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

More about the position

Solid-state batteries represent a next step in the development of the modern Li-ion batteries. However, the advancements in this field are impeded by the availability of solid-state electrolytes capable of delivering ionic transport properties necessary for final applications.

The PhD Research Fellow will be involved in close collaboration between academia and industry within the recently granted project COMBAT, which has a primary focus on development and implementation of solid-state electrolytes for Li-ion batteries.

Together with the academic partner (NTNU), the PhD Research Fellow will work on synthesis, optimization and advanced characterization of organic and inorganic materials and explore their Li-ion transport properties.

The candidate will be also involved in studies of dynamical material changes through operando techniques.

The work related to materials preparation, modification and manipulation including characterization by SEM will be performed at UiO; the electro-chemical studies will be done at UiO and/or facilities of the partners. Synchrotron-based characterization are foreseen at the ESRF facilities.

Nanostructured Functional Materials group (NAFUMA) at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology has excellent capabilities and expertise in synthesis, advanced characterization and modeling. The group also specializes in structural studies by using operando methods for X-ray diffraction.

The battery activities at NAFUMA have been continuously developed over last ten years and has required tools for preparation, structural and electrochemical characterization of batteries and battery materials.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, or materials science
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2023 to complete the final exam.

The position's subject area may require licensing under the Norwegian Export Control Act. In order to be considered for the position, it is a prerequisite that UiO must be able to be granted such licence.

It is desirable that applicants have:

• Fundamental understanding of the battery science and the experimental methods (electrochemical characterization, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy)
• Experience within one or several of the following areas: synthesis of inorganic and/or battery materials, electrochemical characterization of solids and battery materials, crystal structure determination and refinements, operando studies of materials
• Insights into atomistic modelling of inorganic materials

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Fluent oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language is an advantage
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

• The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
• http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/ and
• http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

Personal skills

• Willingness and ability to learn and apply new methods
• Creative and skilled in working independently as well as a in a team environment
• The candidate will interact with other coworkers and students at the research section, with research and industrial partners as well as have responsibilities in the laboratory. Hence, personal suitability and organizational skills will be given particular weight in the selection process.

We offer

• Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests. Describe your experience within one or several of the following areas: synthesis of inorganic and/or battery materials, electrochemical characterization of solids and battery materials, crystal structure determination and refinements, operando studies of materials
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency (applies for non-EU citizens)
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

For further information regarding this position and recruitment process, please contact:

• Assoc. Prof. Alexey Y. Koposov, phone: +47 9694531, e-mail: alexey.koposov@kjemi.uio.no

For technical questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:

• HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

Apply for this job