Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Li-ion Battery Degradation

A position as a Faraday Institution Research Assistant in Li-ion Battery Degradation is available in the group of Professor Robert Weatherup, until 31 March 2025 in the first instance, but with a high likelihood of extension (subject to funding renewal).

The postholder will perform research into degradation reactions occurring at electrode-electrolyte interfaces in next generation Li-ion batteries, which play a pivotal role in determining real-world battery performance. You will combine your expertise in electrochemical characterisation of Li-ion batteries with the state-of-the-art facilities for energy storage research at Oxford, and advanced characterisation techniques available at the nearby Harwell Campus (20 mins from Oxford). This will involve the application of state-of-the-art X-ray spectroscopy methods (Operando XPS/XAS, Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) to probe the interfacial reactions occurring in Li-ion batteries.

A well organised, and highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong record of research is sought to plan, execute, and analyse X-ray absorption/photoelectron spectroscopy (XAS/XPS) measurements. There will also be an opportunity to use custom electrochemical cells that have been developed within the group to perform operando studies. With a background in the characterisation of Li-ion batteries, you will be self-motivated and able to plan and deliver a research project. You will have a PhD (or be near completion) in chemistry, physics, materials or a related discipline and have experience of electrochemical and interfacial characterisation of Li-ion batteries or related energy storage devices.

This position is part of a large, interdisciplinary project on Li-ion battery degradation funded through the Faraday Institution, the UK’s institute for electrochemical energy storage science. This project aims to identify the degradation mechanism occurring at the surface of Li-ion battery electrodes (Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide and lithium iron manganese phosphate cathodes, coupled with graphite anodes) and relate these to electrochemical signatures. The results obtained using X-ray spectroscopy techniques will be correlated with a range of other advanced characterisation methods (TEM, NMR, SIMS, Raman) obtained by other project partners, and fed into efforts to identify degradation mechanisms and develop solutions to mitigate these. Therefore a willingness to collaborate with researchers working across a range of different academic disciplines is essential.

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on 18 January 2024. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application.  Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

The Supporting Statement should include three short sections (~100 words each):

(a) A description of your top publication, stating the key achievement and how you contributed to this

(b) Previous experience in battery electrochemistry

(c) Previous experience in interface-sensitive characterisation

Interviews are scheduled to take place via video conference on 31 January 2024 and you must be available on this date.