Vacant job

PhD Student in Solid Mechanics with a focus on Experimental Solid-State Li-ion Battery Mechanics

Workplace Description

The Solid Mechanics department was the first department established at LTH and is now part of the Department of Building Sciences.

The department operates in an international environment and has contact with research organizations and companies both nationally and internationally. Currently, the Solid Mechanics department consists of about 25 employees, of which approximately 15 are PhD students. The working climate is open and welcoming, striving to provide every employee the opportunity to develop personally and professionally.

The subject of solid mechanics deals with methods and principles for describing deformable bodies. Solid mechanics is a fundamental subject within mechanical engineering and is of basic significance for related disciplines. The problems and questions addressed within solid mechanics have clear relevance for industrial applications.

Research in the field of solid mechanics at LTH is particularly focused on constitutive mechanics, numerical methods, microstructural mechanics, structural optimization, and experimental methods. The department also has strong activities in X-ray and neutron methods for materials research.

Project Description

The PhD project is funded by the Swedish state-funded battery initiative COMPEL. The research will focus on developing and utilizing advanced experimental and X-ray characterization methods to study the mechanics of solid-state Li-ion batteries. The project will explore the multiscale mechanics involved in the production and operation of solid-state Li-ion batteries using advanced methods, including X-ray tomography and 3D X-ray diffraction to follow, for example, 4D (3D+time) coupled electrochemical-mechanical development in battery cells in operation. Experiments will be developed and conducted at our internal X-ray tomography facility as well as at the nearby MAXIV synchrotron and at international synchrotron facilities such as ESRF in Grenoble, France.

Job Responsibilities

The main tasks of the PhD students are to engage in their research studies, which include participating in research projects and doctoral education courses. The tasks also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (maximum 20%).

The tasks in the research project will include:

• research on the coupled electrochemical-mechanical processes in the production and operation of solid-state Li-ion batteries;
• development of new in-situ, operando battery experiments utilizing advanced X-ray methods including X-ray absorption/phase contrast tomography and 3D X-ray diffraction tomography;
• conducting experimental campaigns, including at international synchrotron facilities and 4D Imaging Lab;
• analyzing experimental data and relating the results to theories/modeling.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have

• completed a master's degree or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, within or outside the country

The specific eligibility requirements for Solid Mechanics are met by those who have:

• at least 45 higher education credits in relevant courses for the subject, or
• a master's degree in mechanical engineering, engineering physics, engineering mathematics, civil engineering, or closely related fields.

Other Requirements:

• Good knowledge of physics and solid mechanics
• Curiosity about research and teaching in general, plus motivation for the current research project
• Creativity with good ability for collaboration and networking
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

For the full advertisement, please see here (https://lu.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:770070/).

LTH – Lund University Faculty of Engineering – is the engineering faculty at Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative development of technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 10,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers – many of whom operate in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 theses and 2,000 scientific findings. A number of research results and student projects are refined into innovations. Together, we explore and create – for the benefit of the world.

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