One position as PhD Research Fellow in Inorganic materials chemistry (battery materials) available at Department of Chemistry/Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), research group NAFUMA – nanostructures and functional materials, for period of three years.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.10.2019

The PhD candidate will work on the project NanoName: Improving sodium ion battery performance with Nanostructured Na-metallate anodes, funded by the Research Council of Norway. A researcher will be hired on the same project and it is intended that the PhD fellow will work closely with the researcher. Furthermore, the project involves collaborations with researcher staff in the NAFUMA group. The final selection of candidates will consider the need for complementary expertise between the temporary co-workers to be hired.

We are searching for a creative, skilled and ambitious PhD student for our activities on battery materials. The PhD candidate will work in a team of some 5-8 PhD and post doctoral fellows / researchers. External collaboration with other academic research groups and industry will take place via the FME center MoZEES. The main topic for the PhD work is synthesis of new anode materials for Li- and Na-ion batteries in the form of nanocomposites, supplemented by detailed electrochemical, structural and physical characterization.

The research focus is to develop improved anode materials for Na-ion batteries by turning to nanostructured composites. Such anodes will be optimized by use of graphene like additives. The electrochemistry and the cycling mechanism will be studied both in-house and by use of advanced synchrotron based tools, involving diffraction, spectroscopy, tomography and other imaging techniques. The PhD candidate will interact with DFT/MD modelling activates and thereby gain insight to such methods that currently will be applied to studies of stability, redox properties and interface reactions. Other characterization methods will also applied, e.g. NMR, IR/Raman spectroscopy, XPS, SEM and TEM.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in chemistry or a related field, and with relevant specialization within inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry or materials science.

The applicant should describe his/her experience (expertise) within the following areas (listed in prioritized order) in the cover letter:

• Inorganic materials synthesis
• Electrochemical characterization of solids and battery materials
• Crystal structure determination and refinements
• Operando studies of materials under working conditions
• DFT modelling of inorganic materials and their stability and properties

Such qualifications will be given weight in the assessment process. In order for having the application assessed by the evaluation committee, the applicant must provide information on his/her expertise within the areas listed in the CV of the applicant.

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2019 to complete the final exam.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

• salary NOK 449 400 – 505 800 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• vibrant internatinal academic envirenment
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.