Postdoc Development and Evaluation of Solid Electrolytes for Silicon Anodes

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong passion for battery science and a desire to contribute to the development of next-generation energy storage systems. This position is part of the Smart-Cbat project, funded by the Dutch National Growthfund, which aims to explore materials innovations for next-generation solid electrolytes, especially in combination with silicon anodes. In the Smart-Cbat project Universities collaborate with Dutch startups on several next generation battery concepts, where the role of the Universties is to provide fundamental understanding and develop novel electrolytes, strengthening the anode components developed by the startups.

As a postdoctoral researcher in our team, your primary focus will be the design, synthesis, and characterization of promising sulfide and halide-based inorganic solid electrolytes for different silicon anode technologies. Synthesis will be carried out mainly using mechanochemical methods, while characterization will involve a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray/Neutron scattering techniques.

We are particularly interested in candidates with prior experience in preferably all of the following areas:

1. Hands-on experience in the synthesis of sulfide and halide-based inorganic solid electrolytes, including conductivity characterization using EIS.
2. Hands-on experience in implementing advanced solid-state NMR experiments for the characterization of materials for battery applications.
3. Experience with X-ray and or neutron scattering techniques for material characterization.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment where fundamental research is closely linked to application. You will interact with leading experts in materials science, electrochemistry, and battery technology, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable energy storage. If you are driven by curiosity, eager to work with cutting-edge experimental techniques, and enthusiastic about making a tangible impact on the energy transition, we encourage you to apply.

Job requirements

• PhD degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field (completed by the time of appointment).
• Demonstrated expertise in the synthesis of sulfide and halide or halide based inorganic solid electrolytes including conductivity measurements using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
• Experience with advanced solid-state characterization techniques, particularly solid-state NMR and X-ray/neutron scattering techniques for the investigation of structure-property relationships in battery materials.
• Strong background in battery research, with a clear interest in electrolyte materials, interfacial phenomena, and sustainable energy storage technologies.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

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