research fellow London, England
Job description
About us
UCL Department of Chemical Engineering is one of the top research and teaching departments in the UK and has world-class standing. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and has an extensive research portfolio across a wealth of areas, and from molecular scale to complex systems. It is undergoing a period of rapid growth, and is the home of the Electrochemical Innovation Laboratory (EIL). For more information see www.ucl.ac.uk/chemeng
The Electrochemical Innovation Lab (EIL) is a world-leading centre of research excellence. One of the largest and most dynamic groups in the world specializing in electrochemical science and technology, our activities continue to expand with a new initiative, the Advanced Propulsion Lab (part of UCL East) and substantial research funding from UKRI and industry
About the role
This role is funded for 12 months from the start date, in the first instance.
In this project, academia and industry researchers will come together to tackle the key challenges in the development of a high-capacity, high-stability, and safe solid state pouch cells with specifications aligned with the need of electric vehicle pack developers.
At UCL we will focus on the advanced multi-scale characterisation of the cell materials and full cells both at the beginning-of-life, during their operation, and at the end-of-life, complemented with simulations, enabling technological enhancements towards automotive viability.
The main duties include:
- Study physical and (electro)chemical changes in solid state batteries (SSBs) using in situ/operando X-ray computing tomography and related techniques. Includes the development of bespoke cells.
- Characterise electrochemical parameters (e.g., diffusion coefficients, open circuit voltages) for continuum modelling efforts performed by collaborators.
- Develop understanding of the physicochemical changes of SSB materials as they develop.
About you
The successful post holder will hold (or shortly expect to obtain) a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Electrochemistry, Materials Science or cognate
discipline
Knowledge of advanced characterisation of electrochemical energy materials and
devices, particularly electrochemistry with a focus on in situ or operando
techniques is essential for this role.
The post holder will have previous experience working in a research environment and experience of electrochemical testing of batteries, ideally solid state.
Experience with interfacial characterisation tools, ideally atomic force
microscopy and dilatometry would be desirable.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
