Job description

The Vacancy     

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the materials, structure and manufacture of next generation batteries

The Person

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to develop new materials and innovative manufacturing equipment for making lithium or other next generation batteries. The focus of the research is the fabrication of electrodes and devices with designed and controlled varying microstructure according to the specific application, using state-of-the-art processing, characterisation and performance testing facilities. The post is available immediately for up to seventeen months in the first instance.

The successful candidate will have (by the start date) a doctorate in chemistry, materials science, engineering or relevant science and engineering discipline and be an experimental scientist with experience in synthesis of new electrode and electrolyte materials, processing of materials and components/devices, development of processing equipment, and chemical, structural and electrochemical characterisation. Excellent communication skills, self-motivation and ability to plan and deliver a research project are essential.

The Project

One post is funded by UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant “Novel manufacturing approaches to next generation batteries”, which involves materials synthesis, electrode processing, device fabrication and testing of next generation batteries.  Next generation batteries will be used in mobile electronics and electric vehicle applications.  The research will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Faraday Institution. Our group is developing new materials and manufacturing approaches for energy storage applications to complement or replace the conventional industrial process which is based on slurry casting. In support of these approaches, the group has state-of-the-art research and characterisation equipment.

Recently re-founded, the Department of Engineering is rapidly expanding into a world-class research and teaching department. Research currently focuses on robotics, telecommunications and biomedical engineering, but we are looking to establish new research themes.

We offer both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, with a distinctive approach, combining both traditional teaching methods with modern, project-based learning, catering for the needs of our students and the industries in which they will work.

As a new department we have invested in new laboratories and maker space at the centre of the Strand campus, with more dedicated labs under development.

For more information:   https://www.kcl.ac.uk/engineering

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 17 months

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• Synthesis of new materials, including electrodes and electrolytes; fabrication of electrodes and devices; building processing equipment; optimisation of manufacturing processes for energy storage materials, electrodes and devices.  
• Invention, design and optimisation of new manufacturing techniques for structured electrodes. 
• Chemical and structural characterisation of particulate materials and electrodes using a range of techniques, including focused ion beam sectioning, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. and a range of electrochemical characterisation of energy storage behaviour. 
• Preparation of high quality research papers in English for international scientific literature. 
• Contribute ideas for new research projects, develop ideas for generating research income. 
• Provision of written reports, health and safety assessments and their implementation and monitoring. 
• Preparation and delivery of presentations to the wider scientific team, recording of progress in a lab-book in English according to standard laboratory practice.  
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       Hold a relevant PhD in chemistry, materials science, engineering or a relevant science and engineering discipline.*

2.       Experimental, hands-on experience in synthesis of new materials and their fabrication into components/devices for electrochemical energy storage.  

3.       Experimental experience in the design and/or development of novel equipment and techniques, especially related to processing and fabrication. 

4.       Experimental, hands-on experience in the characterisation of synthesised materials using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron-spectroscopy, surface area analysis, etc, and electrochemical characterisation of electrode materials and devices using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, impedance spectroscopy, etc. 

5.       A strong publication record, commensurate with experience, in peer-reviewed journals. 

6.       Excellent oral and communication skills, including the proven ability to write in English at a suitable standard for the preparation of written reports, publications and presentations of the work at generalist and specialist levels. 

7.       Well-organised and self-motivated with the ability to manage the day-to-day running of a research project, to identify research objectives and to carry out appropriate research activities within a given timescale. 

8.       Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation. 

Desirable criteria 

1.       Experience of interactions with commercial suppliers, external sponsors, etc. 

2.       Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project. 

*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.