The Institute for Applied Material – Energy Storage Systems (IAM-ESS) is looking for a postdoc to strengthen our electrolyte activities. The “Electrolytes and Electrochemical Methods” group works with polymer-based solid-state electrolytes, electrolyte additives, and degradation mechanisms in electrolytes with particular focus on post-Li battery technologies.

The scientific focus of your activities for the project ‘Characterisation and reduction of ageing processes on electrode materials in potassium-ion batteries’ lies in answering fundamental mechanistic questions on the dominant ageing phenomena on negative and positive electrodes in K-ion batteries.

Furthermore, the aim of the project is:

• Development of sustainable (e.g. fluorine-free) electrolyte and electrode compositions to improve battery life
• Analysing electrochemical cell data of electrodes in both small-format coin cells and large-format pouch cells
• Studying material ageing and degradation processes using bulk and surface-sensitive characterisation methods, including ex-situ and in-situ/operando X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy
• Investigating the influence of material expansion during insertion/intercalation processes using dilatometry and electron scanning microscopy

• Diploma or master degree in chemistry, material science or physics
• Extensive knowledge and several years of experience in the field of polymer characterization, impedance spectroscopy, Li- and post-Li batteries.
• Self-reliance, organisational skills, team-oriented working
• fluency in both written and oral English

Salary

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.