PhD Studentship: Structure-property Relationships of New Cobalt-free Cathode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Characterisation

Applications are sought for a PhD studentship joint between the University of Birmingham and Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron source, jointly funded by the Ada Lovelace Centre and the University of Birmingham. The studentship will develop structure-property relationships in disordered cobalt-free lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cathode materials.

The cathode represents the greatest barrier to increasing the energy density and lowering the cost of lithium-ion batteries; it accounts for around half of the cost and a third of the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery. Moreover, high-energy density commercial cathodes typically rely on cobalt to obtain acceptable long-term performance, but cobalt supply chains are vulnerable to political instability in Central Africa as well as being the subject of human rights concerns. The discovery and development of new cobalt-free high-energy density cathode materials is of paramount importance.

This project will develop and understand new cobalt-free cathodes. The project can involve aspects of materials synthesis, x-ray diffraction and crystallography, scientific software development and machine-learning enhanced analysis depending on the interest of the successful applicant. Synchrotron characterisation methods including x-ray diffraction, total-scattering and x-ray absorption spectroscopy will be applied to uncover links between the synthesis conditions, a material’s structure and its properties. This will accelerate the discovery and development of the next generation of cathode materials.

The successful applicant will join a team of researchers in the group of Phoebe Allan working on materials chemistry for sustainability. The student will spend around 50% of their studentship located at the University of Birmingham and 50% working with Dr Alberto Leonardi at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire. The project will include training in a range of cutting-edge research techniques, which are directly applicable to a career in academia or industry. This will be complemented by training in scientific writing and presentation skills and opportunities to interact with and present to industry collaborators and to partake in undergraduate teaching and outreach activities.

The University of Birmingham was founded in 1900 on an anti-discrimination ethos accepting men and women on an equal basis. Today, as a community of over 150 nationalities in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, we remain committed to promoting equality, diversity and fairness irrespective of age, disability, gender, pregnancy or marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity. The School of Chemistry is housed in the new state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Building which opened in 2024 and is home to a vibrant community of groups researching battery materials development and recycling, mechanochemistry, and chemistry for sustainability more widely.

Candidates have or expect to receive a first or upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, materials science, computer science or other related discipline. This 42-month studentship comes with a budget for training, conference attendance as well as for travel between Birmingham and Diamond Light Source.

Applications should be made through the University of Birmingham’s online application system. Please contact Dr Phoebe Allan or Dr Alberto Leonardi in advance of applying, providing a CV and a summary of research interests. Further information can be obtained by emailing Dr Phoebe Allan (p.allan@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes: Funding is only available for UK students and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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