PhD Position - Development of advanced electrolyte formulations for sodium ion battery applications

Your Job:

Join the Safe.SIB research project to develop new battery cell chemistries or introduce new functionalities into an existing battery technology to achieve safe, ultra-high performant, sustainable and smart battery cells.

Your tasks in detail:

• You are involved in the identification and development of novel electrolyte components (conducting salts, solvents/co-solvents and functional additives) for non-aqueous aprotic sodium ion battery electrolytes with increased safety
  
• You determine the physicochemical (e.g., water content, viscosity, etc.) thermal (TGA, DSC) and safety related (SET determination, etc.) properties of non-aqueous aprotic electrolyte formulations
  
• You characterize properties and behavior of non-aqueous aprotic liquid electrolyte formulations in sodium ion battery cells by means of various electrochemical (EIS, LSV, CV, galvanostatic cycling, plating-stripping experiments), spectroscopic (NMR, FT IR, Raman, UV-VIS, XPS) and safety-related methods
  
• You investigate the interfaces between electrolyte and electrodes and their influence on the overall performance and safety of sodium-based batteries and their chemistry
  
• You cooperate with partners from theory to optimize charge transport at the electrolyte/ electrode interface
  
• You participate in regular project meetings with the involved partners from industry and research

Your Profile:

• Completed academic studies (Master) in chemistry or materials science or a comparable field of study
  
• Background knowledge and proven interest in the field of electrochemistry
  
• Fluent in spoken and written German as well as English
  
• Willingness to get familiar with different characterization methods
  
• Strong cooperation and communication skills required for internal and external project partners, including national and international business trips
  
• Structured and independent way of working
  
• Ability to work together in an international and interdisciplinary team

Our Offer:

We work on highly relevant, current topics with strong societal impact – and offer you the opportunity to actively shape the transformation. You can expect a varied programme:

• A highly motivated working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
  
• Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
  
• Continuous professional support from your academic supervisor
  
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. from home in consultation with your supervisor and in line with required attendance dates
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  
• Filling the position is subject to funding approval
  

The employment of doctoral researchers at Jülich is governed by a doctoral contract, which usually has a term of three years. Pay in line with 65% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

Place of employment: Münster

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality