Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Innovative Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate Production

Salary: From £37,099 per annum
Please note, this post is fixed term until the end of March 2027, and full time at 1.0 FTE.
Closing Date: Monday 10 June 2024
Interview Date: Friday 21 June 2024

Are you an experienced Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) looking to join our dynamic and collaborative team, working at the forefront of sustainable access to high-tech and energy-critical materials in the transition to the green economy research?

We are looking for a PDRA to join the high-tech and energy-critical materials Research Group and contribute to the delivery of the European Li4life project, which deals with the novel domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate value chain for green living. Li4life is a large Horizon Europe research project scheduled to run for three years, starting on January 1, 2024, with 18 partners across Europe, including both academic and industrial collaborators.

The project aims to develop an innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally conscious scalable pilot plant for processing and refining lithium from underutilized battery raw materials deposits. This focus will be on both poor and complex ores and tailings, creating the necessary prerequisites for scaling. The project will ensure continuous operation, excellent co-recovery, and selectivity for lithium and other valuable elements such as Nb, Ta, Sn, Cs, REEs, Y, Sc.

This post is to support the University of Lincoln team in leading the Work Package (WP) on Green Chemistry-based approaches for downstream processing to produce Li2CO3. The primary objective is lithium extraction, purification, and Li2CO3 production. Within this exciting project WP and considering the complex nature of the selected lithium-bearing minerals, two different downstream processing approaches aligned with green chemistry will be applied: (i) Electrochemical-based processes, such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in combination with Electrodialysis (ED), and (ii) bioleaching. Additionally, the study will involve applying and developing cutting-edge analytical and characterization workflows.

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse, international team of academics, research institutes, and relevant industrial partners from different European countries and around the world. Ideally, you should hold a PhD degree in a relevant field, such as material chemistry, chemistry, extractive metallurgy, material science, mineral engineering, or chemical engineering.

Informal inquiries are welcome and should be made to the Principal Investigator, Professor Yousef Ghorbani, at yghorbani@lincoln.ac.uk.

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification

You can find out more about working at Lincoln, and everything that we have to offer, at: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/jobopportunities/

We strive for a diverse workforce with the very best employees and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. The University encourages applications from underrepresented groups inclusive of Black, Asian and other minoritised/marginalised ethnic groups, all gender identities and expressions from the LGBTQIA+ community, candidates with a disability, and those that practise different faiths and beliefs, to enhance our One Community where we strive to be kind, patient, and supportive of each other.

Please note: If you think you may require a visa to work in the UK, please refer to UK Visas and Immigration or UK Visas – Information for Prospective Staff before embarking upon an application, to ensure that you understand the requirements for sponsorship. You may be eligible to work in the UK via other alternative visa routes such as the Global Talent Visa or by having Settlement / ILR; please refer to the UK Visas pages above for further details.

Advert information