News

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with international and interdisciplinary profiles in research and teaching. Within the newly established collaborative research centre (CRC1585, MultiTrans), the Chair of Inorganic Active Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage (Bianchini group) has the following vacancy:
One PhD position (m/f/d)
The position will be filled starting from 01.11.2024 or soon thereafter. Salary is based on 13 TV-L 67%.

The project: The CRC 1585 creates, characterises, and models novel materials for a sustainable energy transformation. We aim to elucidate, fundamentally understand, and control the transport behaviour of ions, molecules, electrons, and heat in and between nanostructured functional materials across multiple time- and length-scales. This includes strategies to program materials to guide multiple transport species together, independently of each other or in spatially different directions.

In project B01 we investigate the correlations between the movement of electrons and ions in cathode active materials for Li-ion batteries. The aim is to set up a combined experimental and computational approach, in collaboration with the chair of Physics VII (Prof. Harald Oberhofer). The open position however deals with the experimental aspects of the project. In particular, after the synthesis of positive electrode materials, we will clarify the influence of defects (point defects, interfaces and grain boundaries) on carrier movements, and we will explicitly verify the influence of different levels of confinement (through channels’ dimensionality and finite sized grains) on the linked electron and ion movements. Finally, we will design materials with composition and morphology aiming at optimized transport properties.

Your tasks:

• Synthesise different classes of electrode materials by means of solid-state methods, sol-gel, hydro/solvothermals and spray-drying. Various parameters will be optimized including composition, crystal structure and particles dimensionality.
• Characterization of structural and morphologic properties by means of XRD, SEM and related techniques, including in situ/operando methods.
• Characterization of electrochemical and Li⁺/e^- transport properties by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), 4-point-measurements, but also NMR, QENS, etc.
  

Your profile:

• Master's degree in chemistry or materials science (diploma or equivalent)
• Solid background in materials science and inorganic materials
• Experience in electrochemistry or battery materials is welcome
• Ability to work independently and organised
• Commitment, high flexibility, team spirit, open-minded personality
• Dedication for conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

We offer:

• Constructive working atmosphere in a friendly, open-minded, interdisciplinary, and international team
• Independent basic and application-oriented research
• Doctorate in our tailor-made graduation programme “TransMat” that promotes your scientific, personal, and educational excellence
• Training on modern analytical techniques (XRD, PDF, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, NMR, neutron scattering methods (QENS,…), electrochemical methods (EIS,…))
• Networking with exciting national and international scientists and the opportunity to carry out research stays in international laboratories
• Flexible working hours
• Occupational health management
• Reconciling family and career
  

The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is explicitly committed to the goal of gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the Best Practice Network “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.”, and has successfully participated in the HRK audit ”Internationalization of the University”. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Please apply online via our University of Bayreuth application portal with relevant application documents (succinct motivation letter, explaining your reasons for wanting to join this CRC, please specify and explain your choice of project; max. 3 page CV; certificates, and copies of records of your BSc and MSc) by 11.10.2023 using the keyword "MultiTrans_B01". The documents will be deleted after the position has been filled in accordance with data protection requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact: Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini (matteo.bianchini@uni-bayreuth.de).