Postdoc position: Chemist for selective ion scavenging in batteries

NZZone; Sankt Gallen; Vor Ort; CHF 90.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Empa in St. Gallen seeks a PhD-level chemist to advance melt-spun liquid-core fibers for battery-related applications. The role involves collaboration with chemists, materials scientists, and electrochemists to develop functional fiber scaffolds and scavenger systems.

You will supervise students and contribute to grant writing and publications. Fluency in English is required; German is appreciated. The position is based at Empa in St.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in chemistry or closely related field.
• Experience with polymer–ion interactions, chelation chemistry, or battery materials is an advantage.
• Enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and publish high-impact results.
• Fluency in English; German is an asset.

Aufgaben

• Develop melt-spun liquid/gel-core fibers with polyolefin sheaths and functionalized cores.
• Explore selective scavenger systems for transition metal ions and HF.
• Optimize melt-spinning, uniaxial stretching, and post-treatment steps.
• Acquire research grants and write scientific publications.
• Supervise students and interns.
• Collaborate closely with chemists, materials scientists, and electrochemists.

Kenntnisse

English fluency

German language

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Publish high-impact results

Ausbildung

PhD in chemistry

Jobbeschreibung

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Laboratory for Advanced Fibers in St. Gallen develops functional polymer fibers with applications in energy storage, health and environmental technologies. We are pioneering a new class of melt-spun liquid-core fibers that selectively scavenge transition metal ions and other degradation products in lithium-ion batteries, mitigating cell damage and prolonging battery life.

Your tasks

• Develop melt-spun liquid/gel-core fibers with polyolefin sheaths and functionalized, hydrophobic cores
• Explore selective scavenger systems for transition metal (TM) ions and HF, including chelating ligands, reactive nanoparticles and additives
• Optimize melt-spinning, uniaxial stretching, and post-treatment steps to control sheath porosity and ion diffusion
• Acquisition of research grants and writing of scientific publications
• Supervision of students and interns
• Collaborate closely with chemists, materials scientists, and electrochemists

Your profile

• PhD in chemistry (or a closely related field such as polymer science or materials science)
• Experience with polymer–ion interactions, chelation chemistry, or battery materials is an advantage
• You enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and are motivated to publish high-impact results
• Fluency in English; German is an asset

Our offer

We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for fiber processing, polymer analysis, and electrochemical testing. You will be working at Empa in St. Gallen. The starting date is as soon as possible or upon mutual agreement, and the employment contract is limited to two years.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

Location: Empa, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen.