Job Description

Research Fellow - Sodium-ion battery technology (110587-0625)

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Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department
WMG
Position Type
Fixed Term
Duration
Fixed Term Contract for 2 years
Salary
35,116 - 45,413 per annum
About the Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Ivana Hasa (Associate Professor of Electrochemical Materials) ivana.hasa@warwick.ac.uk

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.


WMG is a vibrant, cutting-edge research institution at the University of Warwick. We currently have a great opportunity for a Research fellow to conduct in depth research within the successfully funded Horizon Europe project European Produced sustaInable SODium-ion battEries for stationary applications (EPISODE). The main mission for EPISODE is to develop a non-lithium battery technology based on abundant available low-cost materials, with attractive energy density and power metrics (close to that of LFP-based Li-ion batteries counterparts), that are durable (> 15 years and > 5,000 cycles), have a high round-trip efficiency (>95%), are non-toxic, non-critical, intrinsically safe and recyclable. You will be working in close cooperation with internationally renowned research institutes, universities and companies contributing to the advancement of the sodium-ion battery technology and generating new knowledge on the achievement of the EPISODE project goal.



About You
We are looking for someone with significant experience in:

Electrochemical materials for application in sodium-ion battery cells. Understanding and mitigating issues in the processability of sodium-ion battery material (moisture sensitivity, aging, gas evolution). Advanced electrochemical characterization methods allowing understanding of diffusion and interphase processes taking place at the cell level (EIS/DRT, GITT, GCPL). Ex-situ investigation of electrode materials by electron microscopy and X ray characterization techniques. Electrode manufacturing and cell assembly (from coin cell to up-scaled cell formats). Interaction with project partners in a large consortium adhering to deadlines, targeted goals in a fast-paced environment. Write and publish peer-reviewed scientific articles and generate repots for the project consortium and funding agency.

Building and maintaining standard operating procedures and generate process documentation.


For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.


If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure.



About the Department
WMG is the largest department at the University of Warwick with over 800 staff, world renowned for providing innovative solutions to industry through its research, development and education programmes. Our industry focussed education portfolio includes nearly 3,000 students studying management, technology and applied engineering subjects, at postgraduate and undergraduate level. We have high expectations for our teaching and our courses are regularly ranked top in the UK and amongst the leading courses in their field in the world.


At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. We currently hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the University of Warwick holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognizes the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.


For further information about WMG, please visit our website.


For further information on the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, please see our website.


Further information about the Energy Innovation Centre can be found here.


We believe there should be no barriers to continuing education, and we strive to ensure that the future workforce has the skills they need to become the UK's upcoming engineers and inventors.


Our unique approach to undergraduate education enables full-time students, Higher Apprentices, and full-time employees to gain an engineering degree.


Our teaching staff deliver educational programmes not just at Warwick, but internationally, and the knowledge we can leverage from our research excellence enables our students to reach their highest possible standards.


Full details of our range of undergraduate and Degree Apprenticeships can be found here.


Further information on the Battery Materials and Cells Research Group: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/research-areas/battery-materials-and-cells/


Key information on prospective line manager: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/people/profile?id=1972251


EPISODE project website: https://episode-sodium.eu/project/



About the University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We're one of the world's top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK, with 92% of our research assessed to be 'world leading or internationally excellent'*.


You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Research Excellence Framework 2021


To find out more about us visit our website.



How to Apply

CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 8th July 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, submit an application form by the closing date.


Please plan for any potential delays as you will not be able to submit an application form past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 23:30).


You will have to attach a CV and a cover letter.

Your

CV

should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience. Your

cover letter

should explain your

motivations for applying

to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the

essential and desirable criteria

detailed in the Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.