PhD Research Fellow in Improved Micro-Nano-Structured Carbons for Sodium Ion

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About the position

We are looking for a PhD research fellow within anode materials and anode-electrolyte interphase optimization for sodium ion battery. 

Are you interested in anode materials and anode-electrolyte interphase optimization for sodium ion battery, and want to engage in research with skilled colleagues who share your interests?  Maybe you can become our new colleague at Department of Microsystems at Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences. The position is available from 03.08.2026.

This is an educational position that is primarily intended to give promising researchers the opportunity to develop academically and professionally through organised research training.

It is a condition that the person who accepts the position applies for and is granted admission to the Faculty’s doctoral programme in Technology within three months of starting in the position. 

The doctoral programme includes relevant courses corresponding to approximately six months of study, a thesis based on independent research, active participation in national and international research environments, relevant research dissemination, a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis. Read more about organised research training at USN on our website.

The PhD research fellowship is for a fixed term of three years with pure organised research training.

Your personnel manager will be head of department Marius Stian Tannum and your supervisor will be Associate Professor Pai Lu. It is a prerequisite that you live close by so that you can be present at, and available to, the academic environment at your workplace during ordinary working hours. The place of work will be at campus Vestfold.

About the doctoral project

The person appointed will be affiliated with the research project Improved Micro/Nano-Structured Carbons for Sodium Ion Battery, which is headed by Associate Professor Pai Lu.

The research project focuses on developing highly performing carbon anode materials to advance the sodium ion battery technology:

(1)         Develop new processing protocols to convert the low-cost precursors to highly performing anode materials, in terms of improved specific capacity, initial Coulombic efficiency, cycling stability. 

(2)         Optimize the anode-electrolyte interphase via e.g., electrolyte screening & modification, surface modification of carbon anode materials.

The person appointed will be affiliated with the research group Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical Systems.

Duties

• Complete the doctoral programme up to completion of the doctoral degree within the employment period. 
• Conduct high-calibre research within the framework described above. 
• Scholarly publications. 
• Participate in the research group Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical Systems
• Participate in national and/or international activities such as conferences. 
• Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after appointment. 

Qualifications

All items are requirements, unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications.  

• Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) (or equivalent qualifications) within Micro/Nanotechnology, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electronics or related fields. 
• Strong background in electrochemistry and / or material science. 
• Documented knowledge of relevant methodologies, both quantitative and/or qualitative, at master’s level. 
• Weighted average grade of B or higher on the master’s degree and thesis. 
• The master’s degree must be accomplished before application deadline. However, candidates finalizing their degree in the spring semester of 2026 may also apply. The master’s thesis must have been submitted for assessment before an interview is held for the position and approved before the decision to hire must be made.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.  
• Meet the formal requirements for admission to USN’s doctoral programmes and Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences’s doctoral programme in Technology no later than three months after starting in the position. 

 

Personal qualities

In order to be able to complete a doctoral degree, you need to be able to:

• demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field. 
• work independently, but also participate in teamwork. 
• work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them. 
• present and discuss your research with other academics. 
• get involved and contribute constructively with feedback. 
• work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity. 
• show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject area. 
• analyse data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions. 
• be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary. 
• have the academic skills and personal qualities to be able to complete the doctoral programme within the employment period. 

When assessing applications, particular importance will be attached to

• Formal qualifications. 
• The scientific quality, research relevance and degree of innovation of the project. 
• The relevance of the project to the profile of the doctoral programme. 
• The personal qualities mentioned above. 

Language requirements

Requirements for proficiency in English 
This position requires good English language skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests. Specific requirements regarding grades can be found on our webpage English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English at USN.

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service 
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic

The following applicants are exempt from the requirements listed above:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA
• Applicants who have completed a master’s degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir)’s GSU list (Higher Education Entrance Qualification for foreign applicants)

Applicants from Norway can confirm their English language skills by submitting their upper secondary school diploma.

What we offer

• Organised research training in a large undertaking with an important social mission. 
• Careers advice and guidance throughout the entire doctoral programme. Together we will draw up a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire. 
• An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues. 
• The opportunity to take Norwegian language courses. 
• Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. Any further increases in pay grade will be based on length of service in the position. 
• Deductions will be made from your salary in order to make statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund on your behalf. 
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, ensuring favourable pension, insurance and loan schemes. 

Diversity

We believe that diversity is a resource in our work and learning environment. Different experiences and backgrounds contribute to different perspectives and better solutions to challenges that need to be solved. 

We are committed to respecting each other's differences and will facilitate employees with disabilities. We take into account your needs and your situation in different phases of life. 

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

General information

The Appointment Committee for Fellowship Positions (TUS) is the appointing authority for this position. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge. 

Based on the expert committee’s assessment, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview and to hold a trial lecture. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. 

Employment at USN is carried out in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act, and the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further consideration.

The University’s Guidelines for recruitment positions at the University of South-Eastern Norway  (Guidelines for recruitment positions) provide a more detailed description of the criteria for appointment as a PhD research fellow. 

As an employee of USN, you must at all times adapt to changes in the field and all organisational changes that are adopted. 

Requirements regarding export licence

For the position, an export license is required, and the applicant must meet the requirements for this. You can read more about export licenses on DEKSA's website.

How to apply

If you think this position looks interesting and matches your qualifications, you can submit an application electronically by clicking on “Apply for the position” on this page. Here you will need to enter a short application text and information about your relevant education and work experience. In the application text, you must clearly describe your skills and motivation for the position. 

The application must include:

• Certified diplomas for your bachelor’s and master’s degrees (120 ECTS). The diplomas must be in a Scandinavian language or English
  • Applicants with higher education completed outside Norway must provide documentation that the education has been recognised and approved by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) You must submit your application for approval before the position’s application deadline. Attach a receipt or decision when applying. The approval must be forwarded once available and is a requirement for employment.
  • For relevant applicants who have not completed their master's degree at the time of application but will have completed it by the start date, USN will apply for approval by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills.
• An explanation of the grading system for foreign education (diploma supplement if available)
• Your master’s thesis. If your master’s thesis was a collaborative project, you must submit a short statement detailing your involvement
• Other relevant certificates and diplomas
• A personal statement explaining your motivation for the position
• Documentation of your English language skills
  • Language proficiency in English can be documented in the following ways (see above: Requirements for proficiency in English)
• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic
• List of any scholarly publications
• Contact information for up to three references
• Export/license – copy of passport

The application will be assessed based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the expiry of the application deadline. Make sure your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the competence requirements described in the job advertisement. 

When assessing who is best qualified for the position, we attach weight to education, experience and personal qualities. 

All documentation must be provided in a Scandinavian language or English. If the attachments exceed 30 MB in total, they must be compressed before uploading.

Please note that information about you as an applicant may be disclosed publicly even if you have requested not to be included on the public list of applicants (cf. Section 25 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act).  You will be notified if your request for exemption from public disclosure is denied.

We only consider applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge. On request, you must be able to provide certified copies of your documentation.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:
Head of Department Marius Stian Tannum, phone +47 31 00 90 19 / marius.tannum@usn.no or 

Associate Professor Pai Lu, phone +47 31 00 85 63 / pai.lu@usn.no

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
Adviser Stine Knudseth, stine.knudseth@usn.no

About the Faculty and Department

Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences (TNM): https://www.usn.no/english/about/organization/faculties/faculty-of-technology-natural-sciences-and-maritime-sciences/

Department of Microsystems: https://www.usn.no/english/about/organization/faculties/faculty-of-technology-natural-sciences-and-maritime-sciences/department-of-microsystems/