Researcher in the field of materials for Li-ion Batteries

About the position

Position as Researcher available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), University of Oslo. 

The position is for a period of 10 months and is upwards limited to the project end date 31st of October 2026.

Starting date no later than 01.01.2026.

Place of work is Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at Blindern, Oslo.

Project description

We are searching for a skilled, creative and ambitious researcher to join our scientific activities within the field of battery materials. The candidate will work in a dynamic team of approximately 10 PhD/MS students and researchers and, therefore, should be skilled to work in team as well as independently.

The successful candidate will be involved in the characterization of the materials for Li-ion batteries and their advanced characterization under the project Salamander (Smart sensors and self-healing functionalities embedded for battery longevity with manufacturability and economical recyclability) funded by the European Commission. 

The candidate will focus on:

• Electrode development
• Optimization of materials
• Electrochemical evaluation and operando characterization, including:
  • data acquisition
  • development of electrochemical cells for X-ray based operando techniques
  • data treatment
• Experiments using synchrotron facilities are foreseen, depending on access and travel regulations.

The candidate will work closely with all group members, who are involved in similar research activities and should have knowledge and understanding of the electrochemical characterization of battery materials in addition to the advanced knowledge in X-ray based characterization techniques.

The position will be part of the Battery research group within the Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) section. The Battery research group consists of approximately 20 members focused on multiple battery chemistries. The group also performs research on understanding of reaction mechanisms in batteries using operando characterisation.

The NAFUMA section is part of Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN). Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary centre, a collaboration between four research groups in physics and chemistry, and it spearheads the MN Faculty's efforts for sustainable energy solutions. The Centre embodies UiO’s focus on renewable energy, materials science, and nanotechnology.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe's leading communities for research, education and innovation. 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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or a closely related field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and completed defence are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Experience within the field of battery materials and X-ray-based characterization (XRD, PDF).
• Experience in handling of battery materials and fabrication of Li-ion batteries. 
• Knowledge of electrochemical characterization of battery materials.
• Experience with using large scale facilities (ESRF, Diamond, etc).

• Experience in handling large sets of data.
• Experience in tomography.
• Experience with operando characterisation of battery material.

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research within a broad collaboration.
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition.
• Good social, communication and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary scientific environment.
• Interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. 
• We are looking for a candidate who is willing and able to quickly learn and apply new methods and teach the other members of the group.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal skills.

We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. 
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.  A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 595 000 - to 730 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund. 

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues, could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

We hope you will apply for the position with us.

How to apply

• Cover letter (summarizing scientific work and research interest relevant for the position)
• Letter of motivation
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• Letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Formal regulations

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Please see Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO. 

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.