Research Scientist (PostDoc) within battery research

Organisation/Company

National Institute of R&D for Cryogenic and Isotope Technologies Rm.Valcea

Department

ICSI ENERGY

Research Field

Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Engineering » Chemical engineering
Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Physics » Other
Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering » Other

Researcher Profile

Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Romania

Application Deadline

8 Feb 2024 – 23:59 (Europe/Bucharest)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

9 Feb 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Join us in the development of the next generation battery technologies

Overview

We are looking for a qualified Research Scientist (Postdoc) to join our team in the project “New insights towards next-generation of Na-ion/metal batteries – ToNaBatt”, under Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan framework, Component C9. SUPPORT FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION “I8. Development of a program to attract highly specialised human resources from abroad in research, development and innovation activities”, PNRR-III-C9-2022 – I8, 760113/23.05.2023.

Information about the project and department

ToNaBatt brings together a team of researchers with interdisciplinary background; they complement each other with their research and practical expertise in the battery field. This interdisciplinary team will favour the know-how and knowledge transfer in order to boost the scientific excellence and innovation capacity in developing next-generation Na based batteries. The success of the overall knowledge and expertise transfer as the key elements of the project is intended to be validated by developing competitive Na anode free pouch cells, along with new protocols for material characterization, cell design, cell manufacturing, testing and validation, and related post-mortem characterization.

The successful candidate will work on the development of sodium-ion batteries and be joining the dynamic ROM-EST battery group that features state-of-the-art equipped facilities. The battery laboratory benefits from a complete independent infrastructure ranging from material synthesis and characterization to cell manufacturing and testing. The battery R&D Pilot Line facility enables the fabrication of real-size prototype battery cells. It can produce either small-size pouch cells for R&D purposes or large pouch cells suitable for the assembly of EVs battery packs. The complete production chain encompasses the electrode preparation flow and characterization, cell design, cell assembly, testing and validation.

Major responsibilities

As research scientist, you will be involved in planning and performing experiments including new electrolyte formulation, and understanding the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and related ageing mechanisms. Different aspects of electrolytes will be studied including chemistry of electrolyte solvents, salts, and additives, the influence of cycling rates, including the understanding of the electrochemical interface, and related ageing mechanisms, with the final goal to improve the lifetime of sodium-ion batteries deepening our current understanding on the irreversible phenomena occurring within electrochemical cells leading to degradation species and contaminants and capacity fade.

You will have extensive contact with the battery R&D and academia community in Romania and abroad. ROM-EST laboratory high demands on scientific results, whilst at the same time providing for and facilitating your personal development. The highly motivated candidate is expected to perform high quality research as part of a team, with the aim of disseminating resulting works through high impact peer-reviewed journals, and international conferences.

The post is available for an immediate start and is funded until 30.06.2026, with a possibly of extension.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Specific Requirements

• Background in electrochemistry, building and testing batteries and/or battery material development (Li, Na, K, Ca), electrolytes development and characterization.
• Knowledge and experience in battery science or in electrochemical energy storage systems.

Furthermore, a good candidate has several or all of the following qualities:

• Excellent experimental and analytical skills, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work systematically, goal and solution oriented.
• Relationship- and collaborative with positive and constructive fundamental attitude.
• Social adaptability and communication skills.
• Willingness to learn new skillsets.
• Ambitious, and face challenges with enthusiasm to further develop your own professional competence base.
• The ability to apply your knowledge and skills to new research fields.
• Independent, enterprising, flexible, and teachable.
• The candidate is expected to be flexible in regard to short-term international research stays.
• Travelling with respect to conferences, meetings, workshops may be expected as part of the position.
• Good documentation (reporting), communication and networking skills, and the ability to communicate well in English, both orally and written.

The following skills will be an advantage:

• Experience in surface chemistry and/or surfactant chemistry.
• Knowledge or experience in spectroscopic characterization: NMR, FTIR, XPS, RAMAN, and surface characterization: SEM, HRTEM, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, GCMS.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

ROMANIAN

Research Field

Chemistry » OtherPhysics » OtherEngineering » Other

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Additional Information
Benefits

• ICSI offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the foothills of the Southern Carpathians town of Ramnicu Valcea.
• Great opportunities for scientific and personal development in a framework that values responsibility and initiative.

We have a great team in the right place to make the project a success!

Eligibility criteria

The candidate must hold the following qualification to be entitled enrolment as a PostDoc:

• Maximum 8 years from date of award of the doctoral degree.
• PhD in Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Physics, Nanotechnology or other related field.

Selection process

The application should be written in English and must contain:

• a cover letter explaining your motivation and qualifications for the position, and your research interests.
• a CV detailing your education, research experience, and publications including list of publications.
• Contact information for at least two references.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] preferably within 08 February 2024 with the following subject: “PostDoc position for ToNaBatt project”. In any case, applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the group, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional comments

Selection by qualifications and interview for the recruitment. 

Website for additional job details

http://www.icsi.ro

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

ICSI

Country

Romania

State/Province

Valcea

City

Ramnicu Valcea

Postal Code

240050

Street

Uzinei 4

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Valcea

City

Rm Valcea

Website

http://www.icsi.ro

Street

Uzinei Street, No. 4, PO Box 10

Postal Code

240050

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED