PhD student in Chemistry with a specialisation in Anodeless Sodium-ion Batteries

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 270 employees and has a turnover of 300 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website
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Duties

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) designed for electric vehicles and grid storage have longstanding sustainability and security-of-supply concerns. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) address both concerns, but do not currently hold enough energy to replace LIBs in all applications. The most promising strategy to improve the energy density of SIBs is to remove the conventional anode material from SIBs: an “anodeless” cell. However, serious challenges remain to increase lifespan and develop them to commercial viability. The project aims to address these challenges to commercializing next-gen SIBs by focusing on the stability of sodium metal anodes.
The PhD position will involve the development of electrolytes and electrochemical techniques for anodeless sodium-ion batteries. The overarching aim is to develop high energy density sodium-ion batteries that are made from sustainable materials and are free of critical raw materials. The PhD position will be based in Uppsala University, but the candidate will be expected to collaborate closely with industrial actors (Altris AB and Polestar), and the position will involve a 6 month placement in Humboldt University of Berlin to gain expertise in electrochemical dilatometry (to be completed within the 3rd year of the PhD).
The work will involve a combination of fundamental electrochemical evaluation of anodeless SIBs, development and characterization of novel liquid and gel electrolytes, advanced operando techniques (particularly operando microscopy and electrochemical dilatometry) and development of anodeles cells in near-commercial multi-layer pouch cells. Teaching and other departmental duties may be part of the position, to a maximum of 20% of the working hours.
The duties of the PhD candidate will include:
Construction and development of anodeless SIBs (single and multi-layer pouch cells).
Operando characterisation (optical microscopy and dilatometry) of Na deposition/stripping.
Development and characterisation of SIB liquid electrolyte, as well as explorations of gel electrolyte.
Development of charge/discharge protocols to improve reversibility of Na deposition/stripping
Research visits to Altris (Sweden) and HU Berlin (Germany)

Requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must been awarded a second-cycle degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent, or have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
The candidate must have:
Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
Good organisation and time management skills
Experience working within a laboratory environment.
Experience with battery materials.
Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional qualifications

Additionally to the requirements above, it is considered meritous to have:
Experience with anodeless or metal-ion batteries.
Experience with electrochemical techniques of metal plating/stripping.
Experience with electrolyte development for metal-ion batteries.
Experience with multi-layer pouch cell assembly and characterisation.
Experience with operando characterisation techniques for battery cycling.
For all of the above, experience with sodium-, potassium- or lithium-ion systems is most relevant, but experience with calcium- and magnesium-ion systems are also meritous.

Application instructions

Please upload your CV and answer the questions in the application form. Please ensure that your CV includes the contact details of at least one reference.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7
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Scope of employment 100 %.
Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala
Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in
Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.
For further information about the position, please contact:
Aram Hall: charles-aram.hall@kemi.uu.se
Guiomar Hernández: guiomar.hernandez@kemi.uu.se
Please submit your application by 23 December 2026, UFV-PA 2026/3467.