Postdoc Position in Next Generation Battery Cathode Materials

• This post is a postdoctoral research assistant role within Prof Robert House’s Group in the Department of Materials. The post is in association with a new Faraday Institution-funded project entitled “Accelerated Development of Next Generation Li-Rich 3D Cathode Materials (3D-CAT).”
• 3D-CAT is a new Faraday Institution research project lead by Oxford Materials (Professors Robert House (PI), Saiful Islam, Peter Bruce), with UCL Chemical Engineering (Dr Rhod Jervis) and 4 industrial partners that brings together expertise in battery materials synthesis and device fabrication, advanced characterisation and materials modelling. We will work to develop new Li-rich 3D cathodes by controlling local ordering in disordered rocksalt compounds.

The role

• Reporting to Professor Robert House in the Department of Materials, the post holder will be responsible for carrying out advanced synthesis and characterisation work on new cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries associated with a new Faraday Institution (FI) -funded project entitled “Accelerated Development of Next Generation Li-Rich 3D Cathode Materials (3D-CAT)”
• This collaborative project between Oxford Materials (Professors Robert House (PI), Saiful Islam, Peter Bruce), and UCL Chemical Engineering (Dr Rhod Jervis) brings together expertise in battery materials synthesis and device fabrication, advanced characterisation and materials modelling. The ambition for this project is to carry out multidisciplinary research that will explore Li-rich three-dimensional cathodes (3DC) free from Co and Ni and with energy densities exceeding LMFP and competitive with NMC.
• This PDRA position will develop novel synthesis routes to control local structure in disordered Li-rich cathode materials. The post holder will use advanced materials characterisation tools (particularly transmission electron microscopy and prior experience with this technique is desirable) to understand the nature of local structure in these novel materials and its influence on electrochemical performance. The post holder also provides guidance to less experienced members of the research group, including DPhil/PhD students and undergraduate project students.

Responsibilities

• Perform synthesis and characterisation of novel Li-rich disordered rocksalt cathode materials using a variety of advanced techniques (e.g. X-ray/neutron/electron scattering, crystallography, X-ray spectroscopy, electrochemical methods).
• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment and occasionally at national facilities.
• Manage own academic research to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
• Carry out collaborative work with project colleagues in Oxford Materials and UCL Chemical Engineering.
• Disseminate and publish research findings (individually or in collaboration with colleagues). Writing research papers for internationally refereed journals and presenting results at national and international conferences.
• Work in an effective, positive and respectful manner with other members (DPhil students, postdocs) of the research group – and assist in the supervision of DPhil students.
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars
• Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Coping with problems affecting the achievement of research objectives and deadlines, using initiative and creativity to solve any unforeseen problems.
• Appointees are expected to continually update their knowledge and understanding in their field of specialism.