Electrochemistry

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £32,348 to £34,308 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term (until 30/09/2023)
Closing Date:  Monday 26 September 2022
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1939622EB

You will join our team to work on the development of new chemistries designed to achieve step changes in performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. The project is part of a large consortium (LiSTAR: Lithium-Sulfur Technology Accelerator) involving seven universities and funded by the Faraday Institution.

Lithium-sulfur batteries are among the most promising post lithium-ion candidates, and the LiSTAR consortium, led by Prof. Paul Schearing at UCL, is particularly strong in bringing together excellent researchers with a broad range of expertise (characterisation experts, material scientists, modelling experts and engineers) and in using a synergetic method of development of batteries from the fundamentals to prototype cells.

The Southampton team (in collaboration with leading researchers from Cambridge and Nottingham universities) leads the development of an unprecedented understanding of the core electrochemical reactions, which is used to design new electrolytes capable of transforming the reactions in a way that can revolutionise the energy density, cycle life and operation temperature range.

Our recent work has demonstrated the use of fundamental characterisation tools to disprove hypothesis commonly accepted in the literature and to better guide lithium-sulfur battery development (Electrochim. Acta 2022, 403, 139572;  Batteries & Supercaps 2022, e202200058). Using a similar approach based on fundamental understanding, we have recently identified novel electrolyte components that produce significant improvements in cycle life, and whose discovery in a patent application is currently in preparation.

A full range of world-class facilities (correlative Raman, SEM and EDX microscopy, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and fully equipped battery research laboratories) will be available for the project, with further capabilities provided by our project partners.

To be successful you will have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in chemistry, materials science or a closely related discipline, and experience in electrochemical characterisation of batteries or related systems, and use of materials characterisation techniques.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in Chemistry. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT+ and disabled applicants to apply for this position.  In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in 2014 a and a second Silver award in 2017.  Chemistry gives full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy** and onsite childcare facilities.  For further information please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.    This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

* Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

  **subject to qualifying criteria

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Nuria Garcia-Araez (N.Garcia-Araez@soton.ac.uk).

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Holly Shergold (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 5719, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 1939622EB on all correspondence.