8 Doctoral Research Associate Positions (Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in, salary level TV-L E 13, 67%)

The International Graduate School BACCARA offers a modern, comprehensive and interdisciplinary training program that enables its doctoral students to successfully carry out their research work while fostering personal development and, thus, preparing them for future successful careers in industry, administration/politics and academia.

Several scientists from the University of Münster have teamed up to focus their complementary expertise on battery chemistry, characterization, analysis, recycling and the applications for batteries along the battery value chain. The interdisciplinary research activities, from which you can choose a topic for your doctorate, are centred on theory and modelling, material synthesis, catalysis, analysis and characterization, battery cell, recycling, sustainability and life cycle analysis,

• Theory and Modelling

Theoretical work is conducted on very different length and time scales using, for example, ab initio methods for the description of reaction processes, the determination of electrochemical stabilities and the optimization of force fields; molecular dynamics simulations for improved understanding of structural and kinetic processes in electrolytes, particularly close to interfaces; and machine learning concepts for improved analysis of experimental and simulated data.

• Material Synthesis

Within this research focus, new molecules and solid materials are to be synthesized in a targeted manner in order to positively influence key performance parameters such as internal resistance, temperature windows, battery life and intrinsic cell safety. The development of improved and sustainable synthesis pathways is also an important element. Furthermore, surface chemistry and physical properties play a decisive role in the establishment and optimization of new cell chemistries and battery cell production e.g. increased adhesion between the active material and current collector foil, or improved binding of binder molecules to the surface of the active material particles.

• Catalysis

In the field of lithium-ion batteries, catalysed reactions are of particular interest. The time- and cost-intensive formation stage after assembly and during the first charge is essentially based on a polymerization reaction of electrolyte constituents and lasts anywhere from several hours to days. Polymer-based solid-state batteries (SSBs) represent a broad field of research for catalysis research. Catalytic reactions for improved and sustainable synthesis of polymer electrolytes are to be researched and optimized within the framework of the research school. In addition, the understanding of catalytic decomposition processes can lead to an increase in the service life of materials and products, and reduced risk.

• Analysis and Characterization

Individual molecular and solid materials, and the complex system "battery cell", require a broad portfolio of methods and proven expertise in local and global material analysis in order to characterize different interfaces and interphases and investigate the micro- and nanostructures of pure substances and composites. Reaction mechanisms and complex interactions in the overall context of electrochemical systems have to be elucidated and, as a result, targeted modifications have to be made so as to improve stability and performance and continue to meet ever-increasing requirements. In addition, analytical investigations provide valuable information and details of dynamic processes, ion mobility and structure-property-performance relationships. Finally, model materials, e.g. pure materials, single crystals, or thin film electrodes allow mechanistic investigations that are difficult to perform with complex materials and electrodes.

• Battery Cell Technology

On the one hand, the battery cell serves as a technological demonstrator for developed materials. All developments of the previously described research disciplines converge in this research area. They are thoroughly electrochemical with regard to their interaction with the "battery cell" system and subjected to an in-depth post-mortem analysis (field of activity: "analysis and characterization") in order to elucidate reaction mechanisms and damage patterns. These findings are reflected back to the relevant focal points and the materials are iteratively optimized. On the other hand, the field of activity of “battery cells” is an independent, highly interdisciplinary research area. The battery cell combines scientific and engineering challenges and represents an interface technology where the complex interplay of mechanical-structural, chemical and morphological characteristics is investigated. All developments in the fields of activity described above converge in the "battery cell" research area.

• Recycling, Sustainability and Life Cycle Analysis

The successful and sustainable recycling of a battery cell begins with the design of the materials and the manufacture of the components. According to the so-called "Design for Recycling" practice, innovative materials and processes are being researched that enable the use of materials and, in the best-case scenario, individual components (e.g. electrodes) with minimal performance losses. Life cycle analyses can also be used to develop processes that enable the most energy-efficient separation and recovery of the individual cell materials, either as components or as raw materials. In addition, the findings are reflected in material synthesis and the battery cell topic complex in order to pave the way for the development of battery cells, constituent components and materials that are as sustainable as possible.

Further information about the International Graduate School BACCARA can also be found on our homepage: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Baccara/. If you have any questions in advance, please write to the following address: baccara@uni-muenster.de.