Postdoc – Simulation-based development of cathode materials for Na-ion batteries

Your Job:

Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising replacement for currently-used lithium-ion batteries owing to the lower price and availability of sodium salts, for which the resources are unlimited. The aim of this project is to find superior cathode materials for Na-ion batteries. The goal is to improve capacity and stability as well as ionic and electronic conductivity of cathodes. Ab initio-based approaches (such as DFT and AIMD), thermodynamics and kinetics as well as finite element methods will be applied to perform a rapid and reliable screening of various compositions in the search for optimal ones, so that potentially high-performing cathode materials can be found without the need for expensive and time-consuming synthesis of many possible materials.

Your Job:

• Modeling cathode materials with various compositions
  
• Performing ab initio-based calculations (e.g., DFT and AIMD) on supercomputers
  
• Applying finite element methods
  
• Simulation of the influence of substitution and/or doping on capacity, conductivity, and stability of materials by applying multiscale approaches
  
• Writing project reports and scientific publications
  
• The work is part of a Franco-German project on high-performance batteries and also includes a research visit to France.
  

Your Profile:

• Successfully completed scientific master’s degree and PhD in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a comparable field with excellent final grades
  
• Excellent knowledge in the field of quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry and/or modeling and simulation
  
• Experience in the field of Solid State (or Condensed Matter) Physics and Electrochemistry
  
• English (fluent written and spoken) language skills indispensable
  
• Excellent cooperation, communication skills and ability to work in a team
  
• Systematic and structured way of working, including efficient documentation and data processing

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
  
• The work will be carried out in a strong and motivated team at Forschungszentrum Jülich, which is one of the largest and best-equipped research facilities in Europe
  
• You will have the opportunity to participate in project meetings and education events organized in the frame of the project, but also at international/national conferences to present your results and discuss with the community
  
• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
  
• Extensive company health management
  
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Exploration and preparation of next career opportunities, supported by our Career Center & Postdoc Office: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/career-center-postdoc-office
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is for a fixed term of 3 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them.

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.