Doctoral Researcher in Battery chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for a

Doctoral researcher 

with the topic Atomistic level understanding of Sodium ion battery electrode materials combining experiments and first principles methods, to join us in Research unit of Sustainable Chemistry at the Faculty of Technology.

The Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry located in the Faculty of Technology has 70 employees. The unit performs extensive chemistry research in the field of inorganic circular economy. High-quality research related to Li-ion and Na-ion batteries is focused on cathode active materials, sustainable anode materials including biomass-based graphite, solid-state electrolytes and recycling of spent batteries. Collaboration with companies is intensive.

About the job

As a doctoral researcher, You will do research with sodium-ion batteries (SIBs)as part of the M-Era.net project, GENSIB, (funded by Research Council of Finland) with the aim to gain fundamental understanding on SIBs degradation. An integral part of the project is to study the positive electrode of the SIB, targeting layered transition metal oxide materials and creating knowledge to determine the requirements for optimal performance and aging of SIBs.

Beyond improving our understanding of the materials, the aim is to use ab initio methods to select electrode materials with good performance to reduce experiments and characterizations. The relationship between the structure and performance of the developed battery materials will be comprehensively understood through theoretical calculations combined with high-precision experimental characterization technologies. 

As a doctoral researcher, you will contribute to

• Conduct high-quality research to couple theoretical and experimental work of SIB cathodes
• Structural characterization of SIB cathode materials
• Optimize cathode materials based on the outputs from experiments and DFT models
• Participate in collaborative activities with project partners and researchers

You will be part of multidisciplinary research unit and get experience in the scientific publication of the results and presentation skills. As a doctoral researcher you will apply study right from UniOGS (University of Oulu Graduate School).

What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of over 70 researchers where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• The employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1 612 hours per year, which gives the doctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.
• A wide variety of support services allowing you to focus on your studies and research.
• A competitive salary paid monthly, which includes paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. 
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits. 
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

We expect from you

• Master’s Degree in the field of Chemistry, Physics or Materials science.
• Having expertise in programming languages (Python and Matlab) and operating system, such as Linux, is considered as an advantage for the applicant.
• Experience of battery research, electrochemical measurements like impedance analyzer, battery cycling, symmetric cells, as well as know-how related to the characterization techniques such as XRD, EIS, and SEM, is a benefit.
• Experience in using any DFT software such as VASP, Quantum espresso, is preferred.
• Good written and spoken English and basic IT skills.
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS)

Salary

The position is fixed-term within period August 2025 to July 2028 (36 months).

The starting salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50% of the job specific component). Starting gross salary will be approx. 2700-2800 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply?

Applications should be submitted using the electronic application form by July 31th, 2025 (23:59 Finnish local time). The application should be written in English and include the following enclosures:

1. Motivation letter (max. 1 page) summarizing applicant’s professional experience, expertise, and career plans describing why applicant is interested in this position.
2. CV (max 2 pages) following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
3. Certificates/Diplomas Scanned copy of the original relevant Master’s degree certificates and transcript of records and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English.

Only applications containing all relevant appendices and submitted through the online recruitment system will be considered. Applications received after the call deadline will not be considered.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Head of the Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, professor Ulla Lassi, [email protected], +358 400 294 090 

Due to holiday season, inquiries from July 1st only by e-mail. There may also be a delay in responses.  

1. Ulla Marianne Lassi, 0400294090