Location: Vitoria (Spain)
Contract: Temporary
Working day: Full time
Sector: Energy
Vacancies: 1
Work modality: On siteCIC energiGUNE is a research center specialized in energy, electrochemical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), thermal energy solutions and hydrogen, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance- BRTA, and, a strategic initiative of the Basque Government. CIC energiGUNE was created in 2011 to generate excellent knowledge and at the same time useful for the Basque business network, being a reference in knowledge transfer.
CIC energiGUNE has a dynamic research team of more than 100 researchers and is extremely well equipped with a wide range of up-to-date facilities that are fully available for all its researchers. Also, the European Commission has recently awarded CIC energiGUNE with the ´HR Excellence in Research´ which reflects its commitment to achieving fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures and certifies the existence of a stimulating and favorable work environment for researchers in the institution.
For more details on CIC energiGUNE's research activities please visit our website at http://www.cicenergigune.com
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This PhD project aims at developing a competitive solid-state battery-technology based on the development of innovative polymer, quasi-single ion conducting composites and lithium salts. The work will be performed in close collaboration with an industrial partner, making possible the integration of developed materials in small prototypes.
Rechargeable batteries are the key towards fossil fuel independence. External components are required to ensure safety in current Li-ion batteries based on liquid electrolytes due to high flammability and instability at high temperature of these electrolytes. On this regard, polymer-based electrolytes, which comprise a lithium salt and an elastic polymer matrix and potentially an inorganic filler, have been investigated as important candidates for enhancing the energy density and safety of the next-generation rechargeable lithium metal batteries, thanks to their high stability, low flammability, light weight, good processability and compatibility with Li metal. However, important fundamental limitations must still be addressed, such as the low ionic conductivity, lithium dendritic growth, polarization of the battery during operation at high currents related to low transport number, and overall short battery life. Thus, the search of new solid electrolyte alternatives raise as a promising strategy to solve aforementioned issues.
The selected candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers and a secondment of 3 months in another institution is foreseen.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED:
WHAT WE OFFER:
We are offering a predoctoral employment contract that covers the whole period of the thesis elaboration with a competitive salary within the category.
Access to a complete set of cutting-edge infrastructures and laboratory equipment that guaranty a successful thesis and the fulfillment of the objectives in due time.
Candidates will join an integrated, enthusiastic, and multidisciplinary institute in an international environment making high quality research and impactful contributions to the energy storage field.
CIC energiGUNE is located close to the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), in the heart of the Basque Country. The Basque Country is the region with the highest R&D investment in Spain, with more than 20.000 researchers. The basque research ecosystem comprises a solid and collaborating community composed of universities, technology and cooperative research centers which leads the return per capita in the European H2020 program.
CIC energiGUNE is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.
