Post-doctoral researcher in the research group Electron Microscopy for Materials Research

Departement: Departement Fysica
Regime Voltijds

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The Faculty of Science of the University of Antwerp is seeking to fill a full-time (100%) vacancy for a post-doctoral researcher in the research group Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), in the framework of an FWO project on Li-ion batteries, under the supervision of Prof. Sara Bals. The main goal of the project is to study structural changes, occurring at newly synthesized high-capacity electrode materials for Li-ion batteries upon cycling, with state-of-the-art structure characterization techniques, and relate them to the electrochemical properties. This project will thus result in new viable Li-ion battery cathodes and allow the comprehensive understanding of the role of the microstructure, local structure, and local valence for the stability of Li-rich layered cathodes, major candidates for future advanced rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

Research group

EMAT is one of the leading electron microscopy centers in the world and has a vast expertise in both fundamental and applied electron microscopy. EMAT has several state of the art electron microscopes including three aberration corrected, high end FEI-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, an environmental SEM,... More about us can be found on our webpage.

Job description

• You will develop and apply advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques to investigate battery materials, including integrated differential phase contrast STEM (iDPC – STEM) imaging and spectroscopy;
• You are enthusiastic and greatly interested in transmission electron microscopy and materials science;
• You publish scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment;
• You present your work at national and international workshops and conferences;
• You will be employed at the University of Antwerp and closely interact with the partners of the project in the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) in Moscow, Russia.

Profile

• You hold a PhD degree with a background in e.g. physics, materials science or transmission electron microscopy;
• You have already experience with the structural characterization of battery samples using TEM;
• You are enthusiastic and greatly interested in the acquisition and quantification of electron microscopy data;
• You can submit outstanding academic results;
• You are highly motivated, quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative;
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment for a period of 1 year which can be prolonged depending on performance.
• An exciting project in which we will aim to go significantly beyond the state-of-the-art.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• The position should be filled latest by the 1st November 2021.
• You will have the opportunity to be immersed in a world-class, dynamic and stimulating work environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation and computing facilities (see also http://www.emat.uantwerpen.be/).
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 30 September 2021. Click on the ’Apply’ button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter,
  • your academic CV (including previous work, programming skills, publications, …)
  • a weblink to a short video introducing yourself,
  • contact info of 2 professional referees.
• The selection committee will review the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. Additional information about the job itself can be obtained from: Dr. Lucian Covaci, tel. +32 3 265 3840, lucian.covaci@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’sHR Excellence in Research Awardfor its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encouragediversityand attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.