Atomistic Modelling Studies of New Materials for Lithium Batteries

The University of Bath is inviting applications for a PhD opportunity in the Department of Chemistry under the supervision of Prof Saiful Islam.

Developing batteries for next-generation electronic and electric vehicle applications requires new materials with high energy densities and long lifetimes. Currently, there is significant research interest in oxide and mixed-anion cathode compounds and solid electrolyte materials for safer solid-state batteries. However, the fundamental local structural and Li-ion diffusion properties of new materials are often not well characterised at the atomic scale.

This PhD project will use a range of powerful atomistic computer modelling techniques to investigate structural, ionic transport and electronic properties of:
- lithium-rich oxide and oxyfluoride cathodes;
- promising candidates for solid electrolytes.

The student will gain considerable experience in a range of cutting-edge computational techniques, and will interact with related experimental synthesis, electrochemical and structural work with groups at Oxford and Birmingham. This project is fully aligned with the research priorities of projects of the new Faraday Institution, and builds upon recent work at Bath on battery materials [e.g. 1-4].

Group website for research details: https://people.bath.ac.uk/msi20/

Applicant profile:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or high Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or a related discipline. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous. Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/english-language/index.html.

How to apply:

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be addressed to Prof Saiful Islam, [Email Address Removed].

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemistry:
https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUCH-FP01&code2=0014

Please ensure that you quote the supervisor’s name and project title in the ‘Your research interests’ section.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found here:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/

Anticipated start date: 28 September 2020.

We are hoping to recruit a student for this position as soon as possible and therefore applications may close earlier than the advertised deadline. We recommend early application.