Visiting Research Fellowship in Battery Materials

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months only.

Applications are invited from early career researchers currently based in Chile, Argentina or Brazil for a six-month Visiting Research Fellowship to work in battery materials research in the research group led by Prof. Dame Clare Grey at the University of Cambridge. This is part of a programme funded by the Faraday Institution (FI) to promote scientific links between the UK, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

The project will investigate the (de)lithiation kinetics and mechanisms of a series of materials to include high-nickel and phosphate cathode materials. Different cathode battery chemistries will be examined, focusing on how degradation influences lithium ion intercalation dynamics, working towards linking degradation phenomena with reduced rate capability and energy efficiency. Special attention will be devoted to understanding the role of phase transformations in new cathode materials during cycling. The project will contribute to advanced models capturing the intricate coupling between ion and electron transfer processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop electrochemical testing methods based on impedance spectroscopy along with advanced data analysis and modelling to build an accurate description of the intercalation processes. The successful candidate will have a good knowledge of electrochemical methods (potentiometry, amperometry, CV, EIS, GITT) and a good understanding of the theory of electrochemical processes to be able develop the data analysis and interpretation. Further experience with materials characterization techniques, such as NMR, XRD and SEM, and battery research are also beneficial.