Postdoc in solid-state batteries - Modelling & synthesis of electrolytes

Kungliga Tekniska högskolan; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

KTH Royal Institute of Technology invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position focusing on atomistic modelling and synthesis of ceramic electrolytes for solid-state batteries. The project combines materials science, chemistry and computational modelling, and seeks to reveal structure–property relationships that govern ionic transport and interfacial stability.

Candidates should have a doctoral degree and strong experimental and computational skills.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree or equivalent in Physics, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related field with electrochemistry experience.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Strong laboratory and computational skills.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues, gender equality.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to atomistic modelling and experimental synthesis of ceramic electrolytes for solid-state batteries.
• Integrate computational simulations with laboratory validation to identify structure–property relationships.
• Explore and design new composite architectures with enhanced ionic transport and interfacial stability.
• Characterize materials using relevant electrochemical and materials-science techniques and interpret results to inform modelling efforts.

Skills

Electrochemistry experience

Laboratory skills

Computational skills

English proficiency

Education

Doctoral degree or equivalent

Tools

VASP

Quantum Espresso

Job description

Postdoc in solid-state batteries - Modelling & synthesis of electrolytes

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Engineering and Management

Next leap in the battery development is expected to be the lithium solid-state batteries (SSB), allowing the replacement of the flammable organic electrolyte in Li-ion batteries with a safer and a more compact solid electrolyte. Within the framework of the Swedish governmental battery initiative COMPEL, KTH joins forces with a coordinated initiative on composite SSB with seven postdoctoral positions in several disciplines, focusing on various aspects along the battery value chain, ranging from synthesis, cell assembly, characterization, modeling to scaled-up manufacturing. The 2-year postdoc project Atomistic modelling and synthesis of ceramic electrolytes for solid state batteries will be shared between Depts Material Science & Engineering ITM (Unit of Properties) and Chemistry (Div. Applied Physical Chemistry) CBH. The project aims to investigate and develop novel ceramic electrolytes for next-generation composite solid-state batteries. Particularly halides and sulfides are of interest. By integrating atomistic simulations with experimental validation, the research will identify the structural and chemical features that govern their performance. Building on these insights, computational methods will be used to explore and design new composite architectures with enhanced properties. Promising materials will be identified through simulations, synthesized, and experimentally characterized. Ionic transport properties, interfacial stability, and overall suitability for solid-state battery applications will be evaluated and these results will inform simulations of new materials.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to atomistic modelling and experimental synthesis of ceramic electrolytes for solid-state batteries.
• Integrate computational simulations with laboratory validation to identify structure–property relationships.
• Explore and design new composite architectures with enhanced ionic transport and interfacial stability.
• Characterize materials using relevant electrochemical and materials-science techniques and interpret results to inform modelling efforts.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in Physics, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related subject with experience in electrochemistry. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English, as this will be required in day-to-day work.
• Strong laboratory and computational skills.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
• Experience in solid-state batteries and familiarity with electrochemical characterization techniques of batteries.
• Direct first-hand experience with both inorganic synthesis and DFT modelling including wet chemical synthesis, glovebox/Schlenk line use, solid-state chemistry, in addition to modelling inorganic materials by DFT (VASP, Quantum Espresso, etc.).
• An innovative mindset and ability to work independently.
• Good collaborative skills and interest in working in a team.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Join us at KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any West-European languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximally one page long.
• Contact to reference persons or recommendation letters.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.