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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity exists within the battery manufacturing research group at the University of Sheffield. The post holder will work on the Next Generation Electrodes (Nextrode) research grant, funded by the Faraday Institution (FI). The project brings together expertise in the manufacturing of lithium ion electrodes from excellent Universities across the UK (Oxford, Birmingham, Warwick, Southampton and University College London). The Faraday Institution vision is to bring together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume, and to improve performance and reliability (www.faraday.ac.uk).

As Research Associate you will conduct research that will focus on the design and development of new ways to process dry powdered lithium-ion battery electrode formulations with suitable properties for downstream dry battery electrode (DBE) process. This will require the understanding of how to formulate a multiphase powder mixture (containing active, binder and conductive additive) then to imagine new ways to form powder into thick films with controlled porosity, conductivity and adhesion without the use of a solvent, slurry or

paste. The electrochemical performance of the electrode will match or exceed the existing state-of-the- art.

Conversion from wet mixing to dry mixing is, unfortunately, not as simple as removing the solvent. Fundamental scientific understanding of how particles can be dry mixed, agglomerated and then survive and flow during deposition is crucial to enable and scale dry processes. Scaling up lab mixing and high- speed coating also need mechanistic understanding.

You will collaborate with members of the research group, within the Department, the University and across the Nextrode consortium, including both academic and industrial partners. You will also play a leadership role within the research group, and will assist in day to day supervision of postgraduate research students.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop the relationships between process variables, polymer addition and measured carbon coating, based on theoretical understanding and experiment.

• Formulation of a conceptual map relating quantitative measures of powder flow, carbon/conduction networks and additive structure of powders to be used in dry electrodes.

• The development, investigation and optimization of dry, solvent-free manufacturing processes for the fabrication of electrodes and devices for electrochemical energy storage.

• Structural characterisation of particulate materials and electrodes, with a focus on powder properties using techniques such as powder rheometry, porosimetry, pycnometry and other related techniques.

• Close collaboration with team members in Sheffield and at other partners, including the sharing of progress and data, pooling of ideas, helping and assisting one another, preparation of joint papers and presentations, etc.

• Preparation of high quality research papers in English for the international scientific literature and conferences; the preparation and delivery of presentations to the project team; the recording of progress in a lab-book in English according to standard laboratory practice, the identification and recording of new intellectual property according to University practices.

• A proactive and action oriented approach to health and safety that contributes to a continuously improving research environment.

• Assisting with training and supervision of doctoral students.

• Engage in training and continuous professional development.

• Travel (where possible) to present results and communicate with stakeholders at relevant meetings and conferences.

• If required, supporting the Head of Department in the provision of teaching for the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate degree students. This may include, but is not restricted to, the delivery of lectures, practical demonstrating, tutorials, classes, and/or workshops and any associated responsibilities or administrative tasks (including the setting of examination questions). The post holder will not be expected to provide more than four hours of such tasks (on average) per week during academic term.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on as soon as possible following the closing date. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage 2 weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact cmbe-staffing-contracts@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.