PhD Scholarship in Experimental Solid-State Battery Research with self-healing capability - DTU Energy

If you are passionate about advancing sustainable energy storage and want to push the boundaries of solid-state battery science, this is your opportunity.

At DTU Energy as a member of the section Applied Ceramics and Processing (ACE), you will join the HealBat project team developing a novel potassium-sulfur (K-S) solid-state battery with self-healing capabilities. You will perform hands-on materials synthesis and electrochemical characterisation, working in close collaboration with a computational team and international partners at the University of Texas at Austin and the Technical University of Munich. Joining us means gaining deep expertise in cutting-edge battery characterisation techniques, building a strong international research network, and contributing directly to the green energy transition.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be the experimental characterisation of novel solid-state electrolytes and the assembly and testing of K-S solid-state battery cells. Working closely with a computational PhD student, you will generate experimental data that supports and validates the multiscale modelling framework of the HealBat project.

Your primary tasks will include:

• Synthesising novel K-ion-conducting solid-state electrolyte materials using approaches such as solid-state, hydrothermal, and/or sol-gel synthesis
• Characterising electrolyte structure, composition, and morphology using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Raman spectroscopy
• Measuring ionic and electronic transport properties using electrochemical methods, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry
• Assembling and testing symmetric K|SSE|K cells to investigate interfacial stability and degradation mechanisms
• Studying interfacial evolution using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, impedance spectroscopy, and, where relevant, GITT, supported by post-mortem and operando characterisation
• Investigating self-healing behaviour through targeted recovery protocols, such as intermittent heating cycles, guided by computational predictions from the modelling team
• Assembling and evaluating full K-S solid-state battery prototypes, with focus on cycling stability, rate capability, capacity retention, and interfacial stability
• Contributing to a three-month research stay at an international partner institution, such as the Technical University of Munich
• Disseminating results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences

We are looking for candidates who have or can demonstrate:

• An MSc degree in materials science, electrochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline, obtained before employment begins
• Experience with electrochemical characterisation techniques such as impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic cycling
• Experience with solid-state materials synthesis and structural characterisation, for example X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy
• Interest in battery materials, solid-state electrolytes, and electrochemical energy storage
• Experience with solid-state battery assembly and testing is an advantage, but not a requirement
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment where experiments and computational modelling are closely integrated
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Dr. Mohamad Khoshkalam, Head of Section Prof. Johan Hjelm, Head of Section Prof. Ragnar Kiebach, and Head of Section Prof. Ivano E. Castelli, at DTU Energy.

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 Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 1 January 2027, or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Mohamad Khoshkalam ([email protected]), Prof. Johan Hjelm ([email protected]), or Prof. Ivano E. Castelli ([email protected]), Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, DTU Energy.

You can read more about DTU Energy at www.energy.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out 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 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of publications (if any) indicating scientific highlights 
• List of References (at least two) 

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) focuses on research and development of functional materials, components, and systems for sustainable energy technologies. The technologies include fuel cells, electrolysis, power-to-x, batteries, and carbon capture. The research is based on strong competences on electrochemistry, atomic scale and multi-physics modelling, autonomous materials discovery, materials processing, and structural analyses. We also focus on educating engineering students at all levels, ranging from BSc, MSc, PhD to lifelong learning students. We have about 300 dedicated employees. Read more about us at www.energy.dtu.dk.

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DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.