Research Fellow (Development of safe high-power Li-ion batteries)

The major concern about existing rechargeable Li-ion battery technology is that it takes too long for recharging and is unsafe especially at fast rate of charging. Current project provides solutions for developing safe Li-ion battery technology for high power applications. We have opening for Two Research Fellow/Post-doctoral Fellow positions to work in this project. This project is a joint collaboration between National University of Singapore, Singapore and Underwriters Laboratories Inc., USA for two years. These positions will start from June-July 2022.

Project aim to develop high power Li-ion cell technologies using phosphate based positive electrode materials along with titanate based negative electrode materials. NUS hold process patents for three electrode materials related to this project.
Project team plans to optimize synthesis conditions for scale-up production of positive and negative electrode materials. Commercial type Li-ion cells will be fabricated using existing proto-type facility at NUS. Besides testing their storage performances, we intend to examine heat generation using accelerated rate calorimeter as well as internal resistance using impedance spectroscopy at selected abuse conditions of the proposed high-power Li-ion cells for investigation of degradation mechanisms in these cell chemistries. 

In this context, one of the selected candidates will focus on modifications to the electrode materials while the other candidate will consider reevaluating additives to the electrolytes for improving the storage performances and safety criteria of the proposed high-power Li-ion cells. They will use X-ray diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, DSC/DTA, etc., for related characterizations to understand improvements in kinetics, thermal and structural stabilities of these electrode and electrolyte materials. 

•    PhD in Materials Science & Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Chemical Engineering/Chemistry/Physics or related fields. 
•    Sound knowledge on synthesis and characterization of electrode and electrolyte materials. 
•    Experience in characterization of solid-solid interfaces and solid-electrolyte interfaces.  
•    Experience on structural investigation and analysis of X-ray diffraction data.
•    Experience in characterization of battery materials using XPS, ATR-FTIR and TEM.  
•    Expertise in analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data.  
•    Highly motivated, a good communicator (written and verbal), and passionate about battery research. 
•    Team player with a keen interest to mentor team members. 
•    Strong desire to be involved in translational research in addition to the planned fundamental research.

At NUS, the health and safety of our staff and students are one of our utmost priorities, and COVID-vaccination supports our commitment to ensure the safety of our community and to make NUS as safe and welcoming as possible. Many of our roles require a significant amount of physical interactions with students/staff/public members. Even for job roles that may be performed remotely, there will be instances where on-campus presence is required.

Taking into consideration the health and well-being of our staff and students and to better protect everyone in the campus, applicants are strongly encouraged to have themselves fully COVID-19 vaccinated to secure successful employment with NUS.

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: College of Design and Engineering

Department : Mechanical Engineering

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID : 15228