Job Information
Organisation/Company: CNRS
Department: Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier
Research Field: Chemistry; Chemistry » Computational chemistry
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Application Deadline: 7 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)
Country: France
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: 18 Jan 2027
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The project will rely on close collaboration between ICGM and LRCS, within the French framework on electrochemical energy storage (RS2E). The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Balard Chemical Sciences, affiliated with the University of Montpellier. A large part of the work will be conducted at ICGM, and regular (potentially extended) research stays will be organized at LRCS depending on the project direction. Material synthesis and composite electrode formulation will mainly be performed at ICGM. The development of SPS protocols for thick electrodes will be carried out at LRCS. Electrochemical testing will be possible in both laboratories, including power capability tests, long-term cycling, and fast-charging protocols. A strong emphasis will be placed on operando X-ray diffraction, and synchrotron experiments may be performed, notably at ALBA (Spain).
Title
New strategies based on insertion oxides for high-power Li-ion battery negative electrodes
Context and objectives
The rapid development of electric mobility and stationary energy storage requires lithium-ion batteries capable of sustaining very high charge/discharge rates while maintaining excellent lifetime performance and a high level of safety. Graphite-based negative electrodes, although industrially dominant, suffer from kinetic limitations and safety concerns related to lithium plating during fast charging. Niobium-based Wadsley–Roth structured oxides (WROs) are promising candidates due to their open crystallographic framework enabling fast lithium diffusion. However, these materials present two major drawbacks. First, long-term repetition of electrochemical processes may induce structural fatigue (local distortions, accumulation of mechanical stresses), progressively degrading capacity retention. Second, their instability below 1 V practically limits the accessible storage capacity, although their theoretical capacity is very high. This PhD project aims to go beyond conventional approaches based solely on chemical composition optimization of WROs by exploring new electrode strategies to simultaneously improve mechanical stability, energy density, and fast-charging performance.
Two original and complementary research directions will be investigated:
- Composite electrodes: the central hypothesis is that combining two electrochemically active materials operating alternately may provide a “mechanical relaxation window” for the WRO phase, by temporarily reducing its lithium insertion and therefore limiting accumulated stresses. Several insertion oxides will be considered, and optimizing the electrode formulation (mixing ratios, material morphology) will be crucial to maximize synergistic effects in terms of electrochemical performance.
- Thick electrodes: the objective is to produce highly densified self-standing electrodes using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) in order to increase volumetric energy density, while assessing the impact of electrode architecture (thickness, density, gradients) on ionic transport, polarization, and mechanical stability.
Methodology and working environment
The project will rely on close collaboration between ICGM and LRCS, within the French framework on electrochemical energy storage (RS2E). The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Balard Chemical Sciences, affiliated with the University of Montpellier. A large part of the work will be conducted at ICGM, and regular (potentially extended) research stays will be organized at LRCS depending on the project direction. Material synthesis and composite electrode formulation will mainly be performed at ICGM. The development of SPS protocols for thick electrodes will be carried out at LRCS. Electrochemical testing will be possible in both laboratories, including power capability tests, long-term cycling, and fast-charging protocols. A strong emphasis will be placed on operando X-ray diffraction, and synchrotron experiments may be performed, notably at ALBA (Spain).
Candidate profile
Applicants must hold a Master's degree (MSc) or equivalent in inorganic materials science, solid-state chemistry, or electrochemistry applied to batteries.
Expected skills
Strong interest in battery materials and structural characterization, experimental autonomy and scientific rigor, ability to work in a collaborative environment, and adaptability due to the two-site nature of the project.
Desired additional skills
Electrochemistry (cell assembly, electrochemical testing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, etc.), solid-state synthesis, X-ray diffraction / structural analysis, and data processing (Python, Matlab, etc.).
Where to apply
Website: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5253-ROMBER-005/Default.aspx
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Languages: FRENCH
Level: Basic
Research Field: Chemistry
Years of Research Experience: None
Research Field: Chemistry » Computational chemistry
Years of Research Experience: None
Additional Information
Website for additional job details: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5253-ROMBER-005/Default.aspx
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier
Country: France
City: Montpellier
Contact
City: Montpellier
Website: http://www.icgm.fr
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