Research Scientists 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 » Materials engineering
Engineering » Chemical engineering
Physics » Other
Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Researcher Profile

Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Romania

Application Deadline

21 Apr 2024 – 23:59 (Europe/Bucharest)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

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!

We are rapidly expanding our battery activities and are looking for new research scientists and engineers to strengthen our battery research team. You will be a member of our highly skilled battery group that will contribute to the development of the next generation batteries.

Information about the project and department

You will be part of project teams in the execution of several R&D projects via the development of new experimental procedures and methods and will eventually contribute to the initiation of new research projects. You will have responsibility to maintain the laboratory infrastructure to supports our research in providing high quality research results to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving research field.

The successful candidates will work on the development of next generation 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

The successful candidates will be involved in planning and performing experiments including:

• Aqueous processing development of cathodes to create sustainable and affordable Li-ion batteries.
• The development of high-voltage electrolytes to stabilize the cathode interface and avoid excess SEI formation at Si anode interface.
• Gaining knowledge on the ageing mechanisms in nanostructured Silicon/Graphite composite anodes for Li-ion batteries to determine the limiting processes.
• The development and optimization of Li-ion pouch cells by combining innovation with improvements beyond state-of-the-art via safe electrolyte systems.
• Study and development of Na-anode-free cells based on sacrificial organic Na-ion sources.
• The development of organic cathodes to improve the stripping/plating efficiency at the Ca metal anode; the optimization of the electrolyte design to enable efficient Ca2+ transport in the bulk electrolyte and transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces/interphases; cell design, full-cell assembly and electrochemical testing.
• The development of sulfur-carbon composite by tuning the pore size distribution, electrical conductivity and surface functionalization for high energy density Li-S batteries.
• Inorganic analysis using ICP-MS/ICP-OES or speciation analysis utilizing ICP-MS/ICP-OEs.
• The development of new methods to recover and characterize electrode materials and electrolytes from lithium-ion batteries.
• In-situ analysis of gas evolution via mass spectrometry (MS) direct gas sampling from pouch cells with current and next-generation batteries.
• In-situ diagnosis of the electrolyte solution in pouch cells by using Raman spectroscopy.

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 candidates are 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.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Organic chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• The candidate must hold the following qualification:
• PhD in Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Physics, Nanotechnology or other related field.

Specific Requirements

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

• 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.
• Experience in electrochemistry/electrochemical tests (Cyclic voltammetry – CV, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy – EIS, Galvanostatic and potentiostatic charge and discharge tests).
• Knowledge or experience in NMR, FTIR, XPS, RAMAN, SEM, HRTEM, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, GCMS, Rheological Analysis.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Chemistry » Organic chemistryChemistry » Physical chemistryEngineering » Materials engineeringEngineering » Chemical engineeringPhysics » Other

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 almost all ingredients in the right place to do something useful!

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 21 April 2024 with the following subject: “Research Scientists within battery research for ROM-EST Group”. 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

4

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

Ramnicu Valcea

Website

http://www.icsi.ro

Street

Uzinei 4

Postal Code

240050

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED