DTU Energy at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position in the area of computational methods for battery materials. The project, which is aligned with the Department’s focus area on battery materials and technologies, is funded by the Villum foundation and the European Union through the H2020 FET Open project Salbage.

The Salbage project aims at developing a new Sulfur-Aluminium Battery with an Advanced Polymeric Gel Electrolyte, which would represent a revolutionary breakthrough in the energy storage market due to the utilization of highly available raw materials for the anode and the cathode in combination with a safe electrolyte.

The postdoc position involves collaboration with international academic partners, e.g. the groups of Prof. Yang Shao-Horn at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Prof. Ángel Rubio at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Hamburg.

Project description
We have recently implemented several computational tools

• Constrained-density functional theory (c-DFT) combined with a Marcus theory framework in the GPAW code with the aim of studying charge transfer processes in battery cathode materials, electrolytes and cathode-electrolyte interfaces.
• The Cluster-expansion code CLEASE integrated in the Atomic Simulation Environment (ASE) to study the disorder in cathode material upon charge and discharge.
• An algorithm to speed up the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) method by using symmetry considerations.

The successful candidate will work on the further development and testing of these techniques and on the implementation of new ones, such us

• A new scheme to calculate the total energy of charged supercells.
• A Kinetic Monte Carlo framework to couple to the Cluster Expansion implementation.
• Frozen Embedding Density (FDE) in the GPAW code in order to speed up molecular dynamic simulations.
• Machine Learning algorithms to predict open circuit voltages and ion diffusivities in battery materials.

These tasks will be prioritize according to the background and skills of the selected candidate.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with experimental groups. The project will be also linked to other computational projects working on screening of materials for lithium-ion and aluminium-sulfur batteries.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD degree in computational/theoretical physics, chemistry or materials science.

The successful candidate:

• Has good communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Is able to work independently and take responsibility for progress and quality of projects
• Enthusiasm for working in collaboration with experimental groups
• Well established skills to work in a team
• Strong computer programming skills

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by: Associate Professor Juan Maria García Lastra and Head of Section, Professor Tejs Vegge

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.

The position is for two years.

The employment is expected to start June 1^st 2019 or soon thereafter.

Further information
If you need further information concerning this position, please contact Associate Prof.  Juan Maria García Lastra at [email protected]

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

Application
We must have your online application by 5 April 2019. 

Apply at http://www.career.dtu.dk

Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• PhD Diploma (an official translation into English)
• List of publications
• 2-3 references

Candidates may apply prior to ob­tai­ning their Ph.D. degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Energy is focusing on functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technology. Our research areas include fuel cells, electrolysis, polymer solar cells, magnetic refrigeration, superconductivity, thermo electrics, sustainable synthetic fuels, and batteries. Additional information about the department can be found on http://www.energy.dtu.dk.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.