Faculty of Mechanical Engineering :
Atomic-scale Characterisation, Institut für Werkstoffe

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) from August 15, 2026 or at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

2-year PhD position (m/f/d) in ‘Atomic-scale characterization of solid electrolyte interphases in lithium batteries’ (salary 13 TV-L, 100%)

The chair of "Atomic-scale Characterisation" is studying materials at the atomic level.

Developing high-energy-density rechargeable battery technologies is essential to solve energy and environmental problems. However, its development is currently impeded by a poor understanding of elementary processes occurring at electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Several long-standing issues such as short cycle life, low Coulombic efficiency and hazardous dendrite formation in batteries cannot be fundamentally solved due to the knowledge gap.

Scope:

full-time

Duration:

fixed-term, 2 years

Start:

from August 15, 2026 or at the earliest possible date

Apply by:

2026-07-20

Your tasks:

The bottleneck is that interfacial chemistry on the atomic-scale is as yet unresolved, owing to the lack of sufficiently suitable analytical capabilities. In this project, the PhD candidate will employ atom probe tomography, coupled with a highly innovative cryogenic sample preparation and transfer platform, to provide atomic-scale insights into solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface in lithium batteries.

The PhD candidate will be funded by the European Research Council (ERC) consolidator grant ‘INTERACT’ for three years under supervision of Prof. Tong Li. The PhD candidates will work closely with other members in the Chair of Atomic-scale Characterization (Home) to improve a fundamental understanding of how electrode/electrolyte interfaces work in batteries, expanding their knowledge in materials characterization.

The successful candidate will be working in the new research center for interface-dominated high-performance materials (ZGH) at Ruhr University Bochum, which houses a large and comprehensive suite of equipment dedicated to nanostructure analysis; the center is among the best facilities of its kind in the world. He or she will have access to world-class set of laboratories and more than 10 major microscopy platforms, including the state-of-the-art atom probe, aberration-corrected TEM and focused ion beam etc.

The tasks include:

Assembling batteries (in glovebox), performing battery cycling tests and electrochemical testing such as cyclic voltammetry, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in varying electrolytes

Performing cryogenic scanning electron microscopy/focus ion beam experiments for imaging and chemical analysis

Performing cryogenic scanning electron microscopy/focus ion beam experiments for preparing atom probe specimens

Carrying out atom probe tomography experiments on SEI layer formed after different cycles

Carrying out atom probe tomography experiments on SEI layers formed at different temperatures

Writing manuscript of the papers

Your profile:

The candidate must have:

an excellent master degree in materials science, electrochemistry, inorganic or organic chemistry

project experiences with lithium metal or ion batteries

familiar with assembling cells and performing electrochemical cycling tests for non-aqueous or aqueous batteries

solid knowledge of electrochemistry or relevant project experiences

experiences with operating scanning electron microscopy/focused ion beam

a high level of spoken and written English

self-motivated and eager to learn

can work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

The candidate may have:

experiences in operating and analyzing [X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data] of battery interfaces

We offer:

Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence
Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.

If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

We expect to receive a suitable application

RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.

German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/daf/mitarbeitende/index.html.en

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact [email protected].

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.

Contact persons for further information:

Prof. Dr. Tong Li , Tel.: +49 234 32 26099

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-07-20. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5876.

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