Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and people's living conditions.

Workplace Description

Since 2022, Lund University has had a close collaboration with several other leading Swedish universities in battery research through the COMPEL platform (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the transport system). Within the platform, the universities collaborate on research, research infrastructure, and education to provide expertise and world-leading research in battery technology and power electronics.

At Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH), COMPEL is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening research environments in battery technology and electrification to complement relevant research at other departments, based on our strengths. COMPEL at Lund University initially includes researchers from ten departments, and three research areas have been identified for strategic development: materials research, integration of batteries with power electronics, and safe energy storage.

The position is linked to the COMPEL platform at the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry conducts research in all core areas of chemistry with a broad theme of research for a sustainable society. Potential synergies between the current position and the department's central research areas include synthesis and characterization of organic, inorganic, and polymeric molecules and materials for catalysis, solar cells, energy storage, and energy conversion, among other areas. Additionally, close collaboration with other facilities at Lund University, such as the 4D Imaging Lab, NanoLund, and MAX IV, will also be possible.

Specific Subject Description

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are considered one of the most promising next-generation battery technologies due to their potentially high energy density, inherent safety, and use of sulfur-based cathode materials with abundant raw materials. Despite this, their practical application is still limited by rapid capacity loss, increasing interfacial resistance, and insufficient long-term stability during cycling.

One of the biggest challenges is the chemical and mechanical degradation that occurs at the interfaces between the sulfur cathode, the sulfide-based solid electrolyte, and the lithium-containing anode. The formation of electronically and ionically insulating degradation products, combined with the loss of particle contact due to sulfur conversion reactions, significantly limits battery performance.

The purpose of the project is to create a fundamental understanding of degradation mechanisms at interfaces in sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries through advanced operando and post-mortem characterization. Special emphasis will be placed on studies of sulfur conversion chemistry, electrolyte decomposition, and the development of interfaces during electrochemical cycling.

The project will utilize the unique characterization opportunities available at MAX IV as well as complementary spectroscopic techniques. By combining electrochemical analysis with advanced synchrotron-based methods, the goal is to identify the central degradation mechanisms that limit the performance of all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries and to develop scientifically grounded design principles for future sulfur-based energy storage systems.

Job Duties

The main duties of the postdoctoral position involve conducting research. Teaching may also be included in the duties, but no more than one-fifth of the working time. As part of the employment, there is an opportunity for three weeks of university pedagogy training. The purpose of the employment is to develop independence as a researcher and create conditions for further career advancement.

You will be responsible for designing, planning, and independently conducting experiments, including the development of project ideas. Supervision of doctoral students or master's students may also be included in the duties.

The duties include:

• Manufacturing and optimizing sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries.
• Electrochemical characterization, including galvanostatic cycling, capacity tests at different current densities, EIS, DRT, and GITT measurements.
• Development and implementation of operando characterization methods.
• Preparation of beamtime applications at synchrotron facilities and conducting operando experiments.
• Post-mortem analyses using SEM, FIB-SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and other relevant characterization techniques.
• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, as well as writing scientific reports and publications.
• Active work in seeking external research funding.
• Administration related to the above duties.

Qualifications

Eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher is someone who has completed a PhD, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a PhD, in the subject area of the employment. Proof that the eligibility requirement is met must be received no later than the time the employment decision is made. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, the PhD may have been completed earlier.

Other requirements:

• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
• PhD in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a related field.
• Practical experience in electrochemistry and Li-S batteries.
• Documented ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative research team.
• Good problem-solving skills and analytical abilities.