Postdoctoral Researcher in Organic Synthesis of Solvents for Battery Electrolytes

Uppsala Universitet · plný úvazek

box 256, Uppsala, Švédsko

Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in chemistry. The Department has 270 employees. At the Department's six programs, highly successful research of high international caliber is conducted. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international collaborations, and we see continued strong growth within our field. The Department has educational assignments within engineering and civil engineering programs as well as master's programs. More information is available on our website. (https://kemi.uu.se/angstrom) Main Duties The main research activities will be to design and synthesize bio-based solvents for use in sustainable electrolytes for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The work is part of a project aimed at creating a more sustainable battery value chain by developing electrolyte solvents from renewable carbon feedstocks. This will reduce climate impact, improve safety, and reduce strategic dependence on fossil and externally sourced raw materials. By combining the design and development of tailor-made bio-based solvents, you will establish scientifically grounded design principles. The main responsibilities of a postdoctoral researcher are to conduct research. These may also include teaching, up to 20% of working time. The project will be conducted at Uppsala University in close collaboration with colleagues at Ångström Advanced Battery Centre. The main tasks include design and synthesis of bio-based solvent molecules, characterization of products using, for example, NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, and GC-MS, and determination of physicochemical properties relevant to electrolyte solvents, such as boiling point and viscosity. You are expected to collaborate with other researchers testing the applicability and electrochemical performance of bio-based electrolytes in relevant battery systems. Within the project, you will also participate in dialogues and workshops with industry partners and international collaborators. As a postdoctoral researcher, you are expected to conduct high-quality research as part of a team, with the goal of publishing results in highly ranked peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting research at national and international conferences. There may also be opportunities to build on collaborations within the research field, supervise students conducting thesis projects, and seek external research or travel grants. Qualification Requirements A doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field, or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a doctoral degree. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Preferably, the degree should have been obtained no more than three years ago. When calculating the three-year period, the starting point is the final application deadline. If there are special circumstances, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade union organizations, etc. The assessment of applications is primarily based on the applicant's ability to conduct independent research based on scientific competence. Greater weight is placed on the quality of each individual scientific work than on the number of publications. Consideration is also given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, as well as how the applicant's experience and competence complement and strengthen ongoing research at the Department and how they can contribute to its future development. To be eligible for the position, you must meet the following requirements: Experience in synthesis and characterization of organic solvents relevant to battery electrolytes is required. Competence in characterization techniques such as NMR and GC-MS and the ability to interpret data from these techniques is required. You must be able to demonstrate the ability to collaborate, publish high-quality scientific work, and present research at internationally relevant conferences. The applicant must have very good ability to express themselves verbally and in writing in English. Desirable/Meriting Qualifications The following qualifications are also meriting: Previous experience in organic synthesis with a focus on sustainability and fossil-free feedstocks is meriting. A doctoral project or other previous experience involving battery electrolytes is desirable, but not necessary. Knowledge of other aspects of battery research or the battery industry is also an advantage. Experience in setting up specialized laboratory equipment for research projects is meriting. Good knowledge of data handling and data visualization, electronic lab notebooks, and Python or similar tools is meriting. About the Position The employment is fixed-term for 2 years with possible extension up to 1 year. Full-time position (100%). Start date 2026-10-26 or by agreement. Work location: Uppsala For information about the position, contact: Andy Naylor, [email protected] We welcome your application by October 16, 2026, UFV-PA2026/2760. Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces. Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ The employment may be security vetted. Security vetting is a prerequisite for employment; the applicant must be approved. We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system. Trade union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]