Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Latvian Council of Science
- Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 31 Aug 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Riga)
- Country: Latvia
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours Per Week: 40
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Feb 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
Who we are
The Energy Materials Laboratory at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) is the largest battery materials research group in Latvia. We develop next-generation cobalt-free cathode materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries - aiming for batteries that are safer, longer-lasting and free from critical raw materials, to support the transition to grid-scale renewable energy.
This doctoral position sits at the heart of that mission. You will design inert protective coatings for layered transition-metal-oxide cathodes and uncover why and how batteries degrade, using some of the most advanced characterisation tools available, including synchrotron facilities and operando techniques.
The position
Within the team, your main responsibilities will be:
Protective coating development
- Develop and optimise inert coatings for layered Li-ion and P2-type Na-ion cathodes
- Tune coating thickness, composition and synthesis methods (chemical and mechanochemical)
- Evaluate coating stability and its electrochemical impact
Operando & degradation studies
- Develop and apply in-situ, operando and post-mortem characterisation to probe structural degradation, interfacial changes and gas evolution (operando XRD, synchrotron XAS, SEM/TEM, XPS, ICP, Raman spectroscopy)
- Feed findings back into iterative material improvements
Collaboration & dissemination
- Work closely with Swiss PSI partners and the broader LACISE consortium
- Publish in high-impact journals and present at international conferences
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering or a related field
- Eligibility to enrol in a doctoral programme at the University of Latvia
- Strong drive to do high-impact science
- Ability to work independently and thrive in an international team
- Excellent written and spoken English
What would make you shine:
- Experience in electrochemistry or functional materials
- Prior exposure to in-situ or operando characterisation
- Experience with, or a strong interest in, synchrotron-based techniques
What you will gain
By the end of this project you will have hands-on expertise in synchrotron-based characterisation, a track record of publications in leading journals, an international professional network, and a technical foundation that opens doors in both academic and industrial battery R&D.
Compensation and benefits
- Salary: €1,600–€2,000 gross per month, competitive for Riga’s cost of living
- Fixed-term doctoral position until May 2029, with the possibility of extension
- Travel support for conferences and synchrotron visits
- Access to state-of-the-art synthesis labs, electrochemical testing infrastructure, operando equipment and international large-scale facilities
- A team of 10+ researchers working exclusively on battery materials
- Health insurance and full social benefits
Location
Energy Materials Laboratory, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kenģaraga iela 8, LV-1063, Riga, Latvia
How to apply
Your application is preferred in PDF format and should include:
- A cover letter describing your previous experience and your motivation for applying, including a brief answer to one question: which characterisation technique would you prioritise for identifying the onset of structural degradation in a layered oxide cathode, and why?
- Latest CV, including any publications, conference contributions or thesis work
Referee details will be requested at shortlist stage and referees contacted only with your permission.
Send by e-mail to arta.zikmane@cfi.lu.lv, subject line “LACISE PhD Researcher”. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; the deadline is one month from the publication date of this call.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research environment.
Where to apply
E-mail: arta.zikmane@cfi.lu.lv
Requirements
- Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Energy Materials Laboratory
- Country: Latvia
- City: Riga
- Postal Code: LV-10163
- Street: Kengaraga street 8
Contact
- State/Province: Riga
- City: Riga
- Website: https://lzp.gov.lv/en/
- Street: Smilsu street 8
- Postal Code: LV-1050
- E-Mail: darja.aksjonova@lzp.gov.lv
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