4 PhD Studentships on Lithium-Sulphur Batteries. University of Surrey.

Contact: Dr Constantina Lekakou at:  C.Lekakou@surrey.ac.uk

We are advertising for the allocation of 5 PhD studentships on Lithium-Sulphur batteries. The projects will be in association with two research programmes, running in parallel on the same topic, funded under the umbrella of the Faraday Institution in UK (Powering Britain’s battery revolution: https://faraday.ac.uk/), under the leadership of Dr Constantina Lekakou at the University of Surrey: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/constantina-tina-lekakou.

Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold the promise of becoming the next generation battery technology for automotive and transport applications due to its 3-4 times higher energy density than today’s lithium-ion batteries. Li-S technology is being actively developed by major industry players like Sony and LG Chem as well as technology start-ups such as UK’s Oxis Energy.

The 5 PhD studentships will be in the following five areas, typically one PhD student in each area:

  1. Mainly experimental project: Lithium-sulphur batteries with sulphur composite cathodes, where the cathode host will be porous fibre fabrics to be electrospun and activated in the PhD project, in collaboration with postdoctoral researchers from the parallel research programmes.
  2. Mainly experimental project: Lithium-sulphur batteries with sulphur composite cathodes, where the cathode host will be large surface area graphene to be produced in the PhD project, in collaboration with postdoctoral researchers from the parallel research programmes.
  3. Mainly experimental project: Lithium-sulphur batteries with sulphur composite cathodes, where the cathode host will be large surface area graphene with functional groups to control the polysulphides. Cathode host to be produced in the PhD project, in collaboration with postdoctoral researchers from the parallel research programmes.
  4. Simulations at molecular level (DFT simulations) and microkinetics in lithium-sulphur batteries, in collaboration with postdoctoral researchers from the parallel research programmes.
  5. Modelling and simulations of the electrochemical processes and the degradation of lithium-sulphur batteries, in collaboration with postdoctoral researchers from the parallel research programmes.

Each PhD studentship will cover fees (at home fees rate) and living costs (at normal EPSRC stipend). Start date is expected to be in September/October 2019.

Applicants should have:

  • A relevant degree (first or upper second) in engineering, physics or chemistry.
  • Non-native speakers of English who did not study in an English-speaking country will be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, or other equivalent proof of qualification in English language.

Applicants are required to send a cover letter explaining your interests and qualifications with regards to the project and requirements above, a CV, and the names and contact details of two referees. Enquires are welcome. All communications should be made to Dr Constantina Lekakou at:  c.lekakou@surrey.ac.uk.