Postdoctoral Research Associate in Solid-State Batteries

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford, Department of Materials, Centre for Energy Materials Research, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Solid-State Batteries. The role reports to Prof. Mauro Pasta and is based at the Rex Richards Building, Oxford.

You will lead research on the CoRe-SoLiS project, contribute to publications, and manage independent research within an energetic, collaborative team. The role requires a PhD in Materials Science or Chemistry (or near completion) with experience in solid-state

Qualifications

• PhD/DPhil in Materials Science or Chemistry (or close to completion).
• First-class bachelor or master's in Materials Science or Chemistry.
• Significant experience in solid-state batteries and related characterisation techniques.
• Strong record of publication and ability to communicate research effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage own research and administrative activities.
• Write for publication and present proposals/results.
• Represent the research group at meetings.
• Identify research objectives and plan activities within timescales.
• Collaborate with colleagues in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Solid-state batteries

EIS analysis

Microstructural characterisation

Air-sensitive alloys

FIB analysis

Solid-state NMR

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Materials Science or Chemistry

First-class BSc/MSc in Materials Science or Chemistry

Tools

Solid-state NMR

FIB

Synchrotron characterisation

EIS

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Solid-State Batteries

Department of Materials, Rex Richards Building, Oxford

About the role

We are seeking a well organised and self-motivated researcher to work on the Innovate UK funded CoRe-SoLiS project, reporting to Prof. Mauro Pasta.

Applicants must hold PhD/DPhil in Materials Science or Chemistry (or be close to completion), together with relevant experience in the field of solid-state batteries, in addition to a first-class bachelor or master's degree in Materials Science or Chemistry and have significant expertise in the following areas:

• Mechanical and microstructural characterisation of ceramic materials;
• Metallurgy and processing of air-sensitive alloys;
• Characterisation of air- and beam-sensitive battery materials, particularly using:
  • Solid-state NMR;
  • (Plasma) focused ion beam (FIB) techniques;
  • Laboratory-based and synchrotron-based characterisation methods;
• Solid-state electrochemistry, particularly:
  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

You should have significant experience in managing your own academic research and administrative activities along with excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

You will also have a strong publication record in a related field, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.

You will have the ability to identify research objectives and to carry out appropriate research activities within a given timescale, demonstrating the ability to work co-operatively with colleagues in an extremely fast-paced and intellectually stimulating environment.

This full-time fixed-term post is available until 30 May 2029 and is based at the Department of Materials Centre for Energy Materials Research, South Parks Road, Oxford.