PhD position in digitalisation of Lithium-ion batteries for research and development

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The Department of Energy and Process Engineering has a vacancy for a PhD position with a research focus on digitalisation of Lithium-ion batteries for research and development.

We have a vacancy for a PhD researcher at The Department of Energy and Process Engineering focusing on Lithium-ion battery digitalisation. The electrification of our society with renewable energy systems results in a discrepancy between energy production and demand due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. As a result, the area of Lithium-ion batteries is becoming increasingly important in reaching climate goals. Lithium-ion batteries are already playing a large role, as shown by the rapid increase in demand electrified transport globally.

Despite this, there are still significant research gaps in Lithium-ion battery technologies, and the experimental research is a limiting step in development of Lithium-ion battery technologies. Therefore, the digitalisation of a Lithium-ion battery will open opportunities for applying modelling-based approaches (e.g., electrochemical, electrical equivalent, physical and data-driven models) and machine learning to fast-track the development of Lithium-ion battery technologies. This approach will also allow the production of a digital twin of a Lithium-ion battery, which may allow further insight into the functional parameters of a Lithium ion battery.

The objective of this PhD project is to design and develop a digitalised Lithium-ion battery. This project will investigate whether modelling and machine learning approaches can be applied to Lithium-ion batteries to enhance the development of nano technologies and focusing our experimental research on computationally optimised theories and hypotheses. By developing a digital twin of a Lithium-ion battery, the process of testing theories and hypotheses can be performed faster than in the laboratory, reducing the time spent on theories and hypotheses that do not yield satisfactory results. Furthermore, it may be possible to integrate machine learning approaches to the digital twin to develop theories and hypotheses further with focus on improving specific parameters of the Lithium-ion battery technology (e.g., faster charging and discharging kinetics).

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The prospective candidate will work in the Sustainable Energy Systems Research Group .

The main supervisor of the PhD candidate will be Associate Professor Jacob J. Lamb .

You will report to the Head of the Department of Energy and Process Engineering Terese Løvås

• Conducting high-quality research
• Actively participate and present research results in group meetings and discussions
• Attend national and international conferences and present findings
• Taking a lead role in the writing and development of research articles
• Comply with the PhD training program at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering
• Establish close collaboration with the other PhD and Post-Doctoral researchers within the Sustainable Energy Systems research group
• Assist Bachelor, Master and other PhD researchers in their research
• Publish peer-reviewed journal articles

• You must have a professionally relevant background with a masters degree (or similar level) in simulation engineering, computational modelling, nano technology and electrochemical engineering (or similarly relevant backgrounds)
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. 
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program   
• Experience and a strong interest in development of models of electrochemical systems
• Understanding of electrochemical energy storage systems

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

• Strong programming skills in Python and MATLAB
• Good understanding of electrochemistry, specifically Lithium-ion batteries (understanding of other electrochemical cells will also be considered)
• Experience with model development and optimization
• Experience with machine learning approaches
• The candidate will be encouraged to explore their own ideas and research questions related to the overall goals of the PhD project. Therefore, proactive problem-solving skills will be highly valued
• Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills
• Experimental background is welcomed, but this must be supported by courses in specific programming

• Be scientifically curious and open to new research challenges
• Commitment and delivery with respect to deadlines (good time management)
• Be flexible and reliable, with the ability to work efficiently independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrate independence and persistence in addressing technical problems
• A strong interest in developing a low carbon emission energy sector

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is three years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering  within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include: 

• A cover letter stating the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Full CV including relevant qualifications
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees in English. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted. 
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. 
• A research proposal and plan (Gantt diagram) outlining the research questions and approaches one would be interested in addressing during the PhD work (max. 2 pages) 
• Name and address of three referees 
• A publication list (if you have publications or other relevant research work) with a description of the applicant’s role

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

In accordance with The Public Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Jacob J. Lamb, email: [email protected] ; mobile: +47 90238329. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ingrid Wiggen, e-mail: [email protected] .

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number IV-132/22 when applying.

Application deadline: 13.06.22

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.