Several PhD and postdoctoral positions will become available within the framework of the ERC Consolidator project “Advanced and Reusable Theory for the In Silico optimization of composite electrode fabrication processes for rechargeable battery Technologies with Innovative Chemistries” (ARTISTIC) lead by Prof. Alejandro A. Franco at the Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (UMR CNRS 7314, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France). The objective of this project is to develop a computational platform for the prediction of optimal fabrication processes and electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery electrodes. The recruited PhD students and postdocs will be outstanding individuals, highly dynamic, creative and motivated to join an international project team of excellence addressing highly challenging research tasks coupling computational modeling with experimental activities.

PhD and postdoctoral candidates on the topic of modeling are required to have:

• Excellent skills in theoretical physics, and physical-chemistry and/or electrochemistry. Experience in the battery field will be a plus;
• Excellent skills and/or deep experience in programming (g. Python, CUDA) and in using scientific calculation techniques (e.g. coarse grained molecular dynamics, kinetic Monte Carlo, lattice Boltzmann, continuum modeling) and software (e.g. Matlab, COMSOL Multiphysics, LAMMPS, GROMACS);
• Skills on parallel and GPU computing will be a plus.

PhD and postdoctoral candidates on the experimental activities are required to have:

• Excellent skills in physics, chemistry and electrochemistry. Experience in the battery field will be a plus;
• Excellent skills and/or deep experience in process and/or electrochemical engineering, materials characterization (g. viscosimetry, porosimetry, BET, SEM, TEM) and electrochemistry techniques (e.g. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy).

“Mixed profiles” (having both modeling and experimental skills) will be particularly studied.

All candidates are required to have:

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills;
• Ability to communicate results clearly and succinctly;
• Ability to work as a team member and to work independently;
• Excellent level of English, both written and spoken;
• Candidates for postdoctoral positions should have a recently obtained PhD diploma (not older than 1 year at the application date) and a significant track record of publications.

The recruited PhD students and postdoctoral researchers will

• Carry out research about the fabrication process of battery electrodes, and its link to the electrochemical performance;
• Monitor the work plan of her/his individual research project and make sure that milestones are achieved and tasks are finalized in a timely manner;
• Actively participate in research meetings with the other ERC team members;
• Take part in the research meetings, seminars, etc. at the LRCS laboratory, RS2E and ALISTORE ERI networks;
• Assist in the supervision of MSc. Students.

Time frame and location:

Some of these positions will start at the beginning of the project, others later.

PhD positions are for 3 years, and postdoctoral positions are for 1+1 year.  

The place of work will be the Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (UMR CNRS 7314) in Amiens, France.

 Application modalities:

Interested individuals are requested to send to Prof. Alejandro A. Franco’s email                                        ( [email protected] ) the following materials:

• Detailed CV;
• Copy of the 3 most recent publications (if available);
• Motivation letter specific to the ERC project ARTISTIC (applications with generic motivation letters will not be responded);
• The names and contact details of 4 reference persons, at least from 2 different institutions.

Contact :  Prof. Alejandro A. Franco

Junior Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)
Leader of the Theory Open Platform at the ALISTORE European Research Institute

Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), UMR CNRS 7314
Université de Picardie Jules Verne
HUB de l’Energie, Rue Baudelocque -  80039 Amiens, FRANCE
Phone: 0033 3 22 82 53 36
E-mail:      [email protected]

Research activities homepage:   http://www.modeling-electrochemistry.com

LRCS homepage:                        https://www.lrcs.u-picardie.fr/
RS2E homepage:                        http://www.energie-rs2e.com/fr

Alistore-ERI homepage:               http://www.alistore.eu/