MSCA - Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) on "Physics-based modelling of lithium-ion batteries"

Research project description

The research focuses on the development and application of physics-based electrochemical models of transport and reaction phenomena occurring at electrode and cell level in lithium-ion batteries. Special attention is given to the modelling of degradation phenomena, such as lithium plating and solid-electrolyte-interface (SEI) growth, and their interplay with the microstructural properties of the electrodes. Non-ideal and phase-separating cathode/anode active materials, which can enable fast-charge capability via optimised charge protocols, are of interest. The coupling between physics-based models and machine learning methods for data analysis is expected.

The supervisor, Prof. Antonio Bertei, is a former MSCA Fellow (Imperial College London) and is currently Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering. He has more than 15 years research activities in electrochemical energy systems at the interface between chemical engineering and material science with international academic institutions and private companies in Europe and North America, with participation to several EU-funded projects and publishing relevant papers in high impact factor and Nature-indexed journals.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (13^th September 2023). Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.

At the call deadline, the applicant must have a maximum of 8 years experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.

Mobility Rule: The applicant may be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy (for European Fellowships) or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (in case of Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before 13^th September 2023.

Application procedure

Expressions of interest must be sent by email to antonio.bertei@unipi.it no later than 10/06/2023 and must consist of two pdf files:

1. Complete and updated CV, clearly demonstrating all 3 eligibility requirements.
2. Motivation letter, maximum one page.