Research Associate (Materials Modelling)

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant/Associate in the atomistic modelling of new liquid electrolytes and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation for anode-free batteries as part of the Faraday Institution Degradation project. The successful candidate will be based in the Ion Transport and Interfaces Group of Dr James Dawson at Newcastle University.

The candidate will be responsible for carrying out atomistic simulations based on density functional theory, molecular dynamics, machine learning and other complementary computational methods to improve the current comprehension of SEI formation and identify optimal liquid electrolyte compositions and novel electrolyte systems for anode-free batteries. This project will be carried out in close collaboration with experimental and modelling partners in the Faraday Institution Degradation consortium.

Despite the potential volumetric energy density and cost benefits of zero-excess lithium metal (anode-free) batteries, their practical application has been limited by interfacial challenges related to the non-uniform deposition behaviour of lithium, which leads to inhibited performance and safety concerns. Understanding and tuning of the interfacial chemistry of anode-free batteries are therefore critically important and require the development of both existing and new experimental and computational tools and strategies.

The role is a full-time, fixed term position until March 31st 2025 in the first instance. The start date will be as close as possible to June 2023.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr James Dawson at james.dawson@ncl.ac.uk.

For further information about the research group, please see the Dawson Group website.

Applications should be made through the Newcastle University jobs portal: https://jobs.ncl.ac.uk, where you are invited to provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person' by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

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