Sustainable Multi-Ion Batteries

Project Description

Do you want to work on the cutting edge of new battery designs? Are you interested in materials and sustainability? Would you like to work as part of a multidisciplinary team working towards a sustainable future? Maybe a PhD in the Energy Materials Group, within the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham is for you!

This exciting PhD project will investigate the synthesis, manufacturing, and full-cell testing of new materials for next-generation battery technologies, focusing on sustainability. It will investigate low-environmental impact materials containing elements such as sodium, magnesium or aluminium and with low-energy manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will investigate anode and cathode materials and their selectivity for different ions. These will be optimised through material manufacturing optimisations, dopants, morphological control, surface coatings and/or hybridisation. The effect of the chemical, structural and electrochemical properties will be elucidated. The materials will be scaled, and full cells will be made and optimised. Electrochemical and analytical techniques will be utilised to understand the electrode and cell properties. This PhD project will suit someone with enthusiasm, drive for research, and interest in battery and energy storage technologies. Some characterisation experience in materials or electrochemistry would be helpful but not essential as training and guidance in these techniques will be given.

This PhD studentship is under the supervision of Prof Emma Kendrick and is based in the Energy Materials Group. The group currently comprises ~40 people investigating all aspects of Li-ion, Na-ion, and other energy storage devices. The state-of-the-art battery research facilities support materials and cell manufacturing research, characterisation, electrochemical testing and recycling.

Working at UoB

As a researcher at Birmingham, you will benefit from working in an environment where excellence and innovation are made possible by brilliant people, outstanding facilities, and strong collaborative networks. You will be joining a global top 100 university tackling some of the world’s most significant issues, making a difference in people’s lives daily. You can contribute to shaping and changing lives within this nurturing academic community. The University Graduate School supports Birmingham’s postgraduate researcher (PGR) and postgraduate taught (PGT) community. We foster an interdisciplinary community and act as a gateway to support and advice to ensure our postgraduates have access to a high-quality postgraduate experience.

Funding notes:

The candidate will have or expect at least a II(i) Undergraduate honours degree or Masters degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or related discipline. A background in materials or electrochemistry would be advantageous. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis, is only available to UK/EU nationals and it will cover tuition fees and a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per year.

Contact for further Information: Informal inquiries may be made to Prof Emma Kendrick (e.kendrick@bham.ac.uk). Applications must be made through the university’s online application system [https://sits.bham.ac.uk/lpages/EPS024.htm]; please provide a cover letter summarising your research interests and suitability for the position; the contact details of two people able to provide a letter of reference; and a full curriculum vitae. Please also send a copy of your full application directly to Prof Kendrick.