PhD Research Fellow in Electrochemical and Chemo-Physical Properties of Anode Materials

About the position

A 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Ph.D. research fellow in Electrochemical and Chemo-Physical Properties of Anode Materials for Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years, located at the battery research center at campus Grimstad. The position is announced as part of a knowledge building project with the industry from the Research Council of Norway, in collaboration with the University of Stavanger, the research institute SINTEF and the industry partners Cenate AS and Vianode AS. To bring the project knowledge into the project effectively the successful applicant for this position is also expected to apply for a planned 25% position at the project partner Vianode in Kristiansand. In this targeted setup the Ph.D. position at the University of Agder would be adjusted to a 4 year 75% position to make a total 100% position over 4 years. The starting date is January 1st 2026 or to be negotiated with the faculty.

The Ph.D. research fellow will become a part of the newly created UiA battery initiative which co-creates a competence hub for lithium-ion battery research and development in close exchange and collaboration with local industry partners in the south of Norway.

Responsibilities

The research fellow will work on developing methods to assess and improve the fast-charging performance of anode materials at the material level. This involves first establishing a measurement routine that isolates material properties from other transport effects, enabling a reliable quantification of how “fast-chargeable” an anode material is. Next, they will identify whether the primary bottleneck during fast charging is the surface intercalation kinetics or the solid-state diffusion of lithium within the particles. Finally, the insights gained will be applied to optimize material properties, such as crystallinity, particle size, and surface coatings, in collaboration with industrial partners who can provide high-quality anode materials for testing.

The candidate will contribute to the development of the growing research activity in electrochemistry and lithium-ion batteries. We are looking for a highly motivated research fellow interested in shaping this project as well as contributing to the future research directions of the battery activities in close collaboration with the emerging industry partners in the south of Norway.

Required qualifications

• Master’s Degree in chemistry, physics, or material sciences, electrical engineering, mathematics, information technology or related field. This year’s candidates/candidates who will finish their master’s degree in the summer can also apply. 
• Experience in working in an electrochemical laboratory.
• Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
• TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
• IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Engineering Sciences, Scientific Field Renewable Energy. 

Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian). 

Desired qualifications

• Experience in the investigation of lithium-ion batteries.
• (Co-)Authorship of scientific publications / scientific presentations in the field of electrochemistry or lithium-ion batteries.

Personal qualities

• Scientific curiosity for elucidating the bottlenecks of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery materials and designs.
• Ability for scientifically rigorous, target-oriented, organized, and independent work.
• Good communication and teamwork skills, inventiveness and a proactive hands-on approach are essential qualifications. 
• Applicants are expected to contribute to a safe and inclusive working environment.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• Professional development in a large, exciting, and socially influential organisation 
• A positive, inclusive, and diverse working environment 
• Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers 
• Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 Ph.D. Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. 

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability, or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. 

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right. 

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically. Only applicants who completely submitted the required documents can be considered: 

• Certificates with grades.
• Cover letter, highlighting your most relevant experiences and suitability for the position.
• Master’s thesis (For those who are in the final stage of the master’s education but without a master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later).
• Contact details for 2-3 references (no written references needed at time of application).
• Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any).
• Any other relevant documentation.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. 

Application deadline: 11.11.25

Contact

For questions about the position: 

Associate Professor Johannes Landesfeind, tel. +47 406 58 833, e-mail johannes.landesfeind@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

HR Advisor, Linda Heskestad Kristiansen, tel. +47 38 14 11 88, e-mail: linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no 

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

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