Location: | Birmingham |
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Salary: | £31,396 to £33,966 with potential progression once in post to £38,205 (pro rata) per annum. Grade: 6 |
Hours: | Part Time |
Contract Type: | Fixed-Term/Contract |
Placed On: | 2nd July 2024 |
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Closes: | 9th July 2024 |
Job Ref: | 104091 |
Hours: Part Time (15 working hours per week).
Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2025.
The post is a fixed term 2 days per week (till 30/9/25) research associate position on the “Nextrode project” funded by the Faraday Institution, the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research and skills development. The Faraday Institution vision is to bring together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; to improve performance and reliability (faraday.ac.uk).
Nextrode project summary: Today, all electrodes for mass market lithium-ion batteries are made by slurry casting. The process involves mixing electrochemically active materials, additives and binders, and produces electrodes with randomly distributed pores and materials, in what is a quick and productive process. However, recent research at the laboratory scale has demonstrated that new manufacturing methods can produce “smart” electrodes with 30% more capacity and 50% lower degradation rates, which could enable EVs with longer range and batteries that are more durable. Even bigger benefits could be achieved once more is understood about the science of smart electrodes and how to scale up production for industry. The Nextrode project has been formed to research new methods for manufacturing smarter electrodes and to put them onto the path to commercialisation.
The post holder will join the Chemistry groups led by Prof. Peter Slater, and Prof Emma Kendrick, and will work on the development of strategies to improve Li ion battery electrode performance, in particular aiming to develop low cost strategies to enhance energy density, while preserving high rate capability. A truly interdisciplinary project within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, this post will work closely with other researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy and Materials.
Role Summary
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
Person Specification
Informal enquiries to Peter Slater p.r.slater@bham.ac.uk.
To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply button above.
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