Postdoc in Sodium-ion batteries for transport: from materials to cell performance
Karlstad University
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Karlstad University is looking for a motivated Postdoc to contribute to research on sodium-ion batteries, exploring their performance and materials. You will join the energy storage team in the Department of Electrical Engineering, collaborating on experiments and modelling for transport applications.
The position is a full-time temporary employment for two years with a possibility for extension and requires physical presence in Gothenburg.
Qualifications
- Doctoral degree met no later than employment decision.
- Advanced ability to perform scientific research.
- Teaching experience is an asset.
Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and conduct experiments for cell performance.
- Collaborate with researchers within the BMS team.
- Publish results in journals and present at conferences.
- Supervise master's and/or PhD students.
- Engage in teaching at undergraduate/master's level.
Skills
Education
Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate eager to contribute to advancing the knowledge of sodium-ion battery technology to join the energy storage team in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Division of Electric Power Engineering.
The position will include characterising commercial cells and the production maturity through performance testing, teardown analysis and material-level electrochemistry. You will collaborate with researchers from diverse technical backgrounds who work on transport applications and modelling tools for early battery lifetime indicators.
At the department of Electrical Engineering research and education are performed in the areas of Communications, Antennas and Optical Networks, Systems and Control, Signal processing and Biomedical engineering, and Electric Power Engineering. We work with sustainable and smart solutions to societal challenges, such as energy efficiency and electrification in areas ranging from transport and production systems to communication solutions and biomedical engineering.
The Electrical Machines and Power Electronics unit conducts research and education in electrical machines, power electronics, drive systems, and energy storage. Our work supports the transition to sustainable energy and electrified transportation. We collaborate closely with industry and international research partners to address future energy challenges. The unit offers a dynamic and collaborative environment with a strong focus on innovation and impact.
The Division of Automatic Control conducts research and education in the analysis and control of dynamic systems, combining fundamental theory with applications that address important industrial and societal challenges. The BMS team within the Automatic Control group consists of around 15 researchers focusing on modelling, estimation and prediction related to battery systems, ranging from details on micro-scale in cells to cloud calculations for fleets of electric vehicles.
This position is a 2-year Postdoc project. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and their electrode materials, available on the market today, are to be investigated in their current maturity level. The SIBs hold a high potential to be a sustainable option for several applications currently using lithium-ion batteries (LIB). In this project, Sodium-ion batteries for transport: from materials to cell performance, the investigated SIBs and their materials are to be evaluated for transport applications.
Core tasks include planning, preparing, conducting experiments, and analysing the results. The experimental work will be the foundation for the modelling work conducted in collaboration with researchers within the BMS team in the Automatic Control group. An existing model is to be further developed based on the experimental findings. You are expected to publish your results in journals and present them at international conferences.
Apart from the research task, ca 10-20% of the time is allocated for departmental and teaching efforts, supervision of master’s students and managing research infrastructure.
- A doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Material Science, or a similar field with a solid knowledge of battery technology, met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- An advanced ability to perform scientific research.
You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.
- It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
- Knowledge in electrochemistry, mathematical modelling, electrotechnology and/or experience in laboratory work is favourable.
- Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage.
- Planning, preparing and conducting experiments for cell performance measurements, cell teardown and electrode material analysis.
- Collaborate with researchers within the BMS team in the Automatic Control group.
- Publish your results in journals and present them at international conferences.
- Supervise master’s and/or PhD students to a certain extent.
- Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level.
The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.
The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.
- As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
- A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
- Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
The application should be written in English and attached as PDF files. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support ZIP files.
- A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.
- Details of previous teaching and pedagogical experience.
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.
- An outline of your future goals and research focus.
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.
We welcome your application no later than 2026-08-16.
Evelina Wikner
Assistant Professor, Division of Electric Power Engineering
evelina.wikner@chalmers.se, phone +46 31772 2139
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
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