Offer Description
Objective
The goal is to assess and mitigate degradation in high-voltage Na layered oxide cathodes (moisture instability, irreversible phase transitions, parasitic reactions with electrolyte) using interfacial strategies to enhance their electrochemical performance and enable their integration into high-voltage sodium ion batteries (SIBs). The Doctoral Candidate (DC) will engineer a stable, low-impedance cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) to suppress irreversible electrolyte consumption and enhance…
cycling and rate performance. Ex-situ interfacial solutions prior to battery assembly will be applied via different methods (chemical, mechanical, vapor deposition) and compared or complemented with in-situ CEI modifications (via tuned electrolyte formulations or sacrificial salts). CEI stability and Na⁺ transport will be thoroughly investigated. Comprehensive S-L and S–S–L interface characterization (EIS, XPS and TEM, in cooperation with DC#2) is planned. In cooperation with DC1 (anode materials) and DC15 (electrolytes) full cells will be validated. Interfacial structure–function relationships will be further assessed using atomistic input from DC7.
Expected results
- Practical methodologies to prevent degradation of high-voltage Na layered oxides by creating robust, efficient CEI/protective interfaces.
- An integrated experimental–theoretical understanding of the interfaces between active material, coatings/CEI, and electrolyte to guide scalable, sustainable manufacturing.
Where to apply
Website: https://cicenergigune.com/en/employment-opportunities/
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in Energy Storage, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Chemistry, Applied Physics or closely related disciplines
- Excellent communication and writing skills, thorough command of the English language
- Good knowledge of electrochemistry, materials science and particularly batteries.
- Skills in experimental electrochemistry, battery assembly and testing and synthesis of inorganic materials.
- Experience with structural, microstructural, surface and chemical material characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM/TEM, XPS, XAS will be an advantage.
- Experience with Na-ion cathodes synthesis and interfacial modifications will be an advantage.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of an international, multi-disciplinary team.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
From atom to device
CIC energıGUNE lead research in materials and systems for thermal and electrochemical energy storage, applying the results in the market and contributing to the competitiveness of companies.
The selected candidate will be required to enroll in a PhD program at University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU.
Main Supervisor: Dr. Rosalía Cid (CIC energiGUNE, https://cicenergigune.com/en/rosalia-cid-barreno)
Co-supervisor: Prof. Montse Casas (CIC energiGUNE, https://cicenergigune.com/en/montserrat-casas-cabanas)
Co-supervisors from secondments:
Prof. Amaia Saracibar (EHU, https://www.ehu.eus/es/web/doktoregoa/doctorado-ciencia-tecnologia-materiales/profesorado?redirect=fichaPDI&idPdi=273081)
Dr. Paul Poodt (Spark Nano, https://www.spark-nano.com/)
The Doctoral Candidate will stay 3 months at INM, Saarbruecken, Saarland, Germany with Prof. Nadja Tarakina and 3 months at Spark Nano, Eindhoven, Netherlands with Dr. Paul Poodt.
The salary will comply with the rules of the 2025 MSCA Doctoral Network program under Horizon Europe and consists of:
- a living allowance (country correction coefficient applies),
- a mobility allowance (€710/month),
- and, if applicable, a family allowance (€660/month).
All amounts are subject to national taxation and social security regulations.
- Social Security coverage
- Training, Networking and secondment opportunities
- Career Development plan.
The position is funded for 36 months under the MSCA Doctoral Network. The total contract duration is 36 months.
Start date: from 01.11.2026 but not later than 01.04.2027
Type of contract: Full-time employment contract in accordance with national regulations
Hours per week: full time
The knowledge of Spanish is a plus but not a requirement as English is the official language at CIC energiGUNE.
CIC energıGUNE is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Therefore, as part of our commitment to inclusion, we welcome applications regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
Eligibility will be verified at the time of recruitment.
Selection process
Applicants must submit
- CV (including a detailed description of residence and main activities over the last 3 years)
- Motivation letter
- Copies of academic degrees
- Contact details of 3 referees
Application Deadline: 20.09.2026
Recruitment will follow the MSCA Doctoral Network principles of:
- Open, transparent and merit-based selection
- Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
- Evaluation by a qualified selection committee
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews. The selection process will be properly documented in accordance with MSCA requirements. The selection process ends once the candidate is selected.
More details about the position, application procedure and recruitment can be found on the e-ChemIn webpage (www.e-chemin-dn.eu).
CIC energıGUNE is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Therefore, as part of our commitment to inclusion, we welcome applications regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age.
This will receive funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 101311389.
Additional comments
The e-ChemIn network brings 12 academic and 6 industrial partners from 9 countries formed an international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral team. 15 Doctoral candidates will enjoy a multi-disciplinary and international environment with plenty of training opportunities and exchange with all labs involved in the Network.
The doctoral candidates will be hired in one of the following institutions/organisations:
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (DC1);
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (DC2, DC3, DC15);
- Stockholm University (DC4, DC13);
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (DC5);
- CIC energiGUNE (DC6, DC7);
- VSB Technical University of Ostrava (DC8);
- Royal Institute of Technology (DC9);
- Leiden University (DC10);
- University of Liverpool (DC11);
- University of Trieste (DC12);
- MONOLITHOS Catalysts and Recycling Ltd. (DC14)
Scientific background
The climate targets set by the EU with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 require a transformation of all sectors of the economy towards the use of renewables-based electricity, calling for joined forces between EU countries in order to achieve a more resilient energy system. In the e-ChemIn we are united by the idea of applying a new paradigm in designing energy devices, which shifts the current approach of creating individual materials towards engineering electrochemically ACTIVE MATERIALS INTERFACES. Working together we will: 1) design multiple sets of electrochemical interfaces using renewable, abundant, and circular materials and optimize them for new generations of energy conversion and storage devices. Created lab-scale prototypes which outperform characteristics of current benchmarks and will be ready for further developments at high TRLs (5-9); 2) develop multimodal approaches for the characterization of interfaces operando at the nanoscale, providing unprecedented insights into interfaces in action and making the characterization of active interfaces accessible to the broader scientific community; 3) successfully establish processes for the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life devices and apply them at the industrial scale.
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Website for additional job details: https://cicenergigune.com/en/employment-opportunities
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: CIC energıGUNE
Country: Spain
State/Province: Álava
City: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Postal Code: 01510
Street: Albert Einstein Kalea 48
Contact
State/Province: Álava
City: Vitoria Gasteiz
Website: https://cicenergigune.com/en
Street: Albert Einstein Kalea 48
Postal Code: 01510
E-Mail: rcid@cicenergigune.com
Phone: +34945297108