puestos de Metal en Arabia Saudí

Institution
ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating ten beamlines, complementary facilities, and an Electron Microscopy Center, this last in partnership with other institutions. Currently constructing multiple more beamlines, expanding the Electron Microscopy Center, and integrating advanced data analytics, it sums up a wide range of infrastructures geared toward finding solutions to societal challenges.

Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Recerca i Universitats). The synchrotron light produced by 3 GeV electrons is used by thousands of researchers to analyse and understand the properties and functionality of matter, spanning a wide variety of fields, such as catalytic research, health, energy production/storage, environmental research, communication technologies, or cultural heritage.

Our highly motivated staff works in a multidisciplinary work environment with an atmosphere formed by lived diversity, inclusion and respect for our colleagues. Located close to Barcelona in a natural park and well connected by car and public transportation, with excellent connectivity to the world and an employer who understands the importance of life-work balance.

Facing an upgrade to ALBA II, a 4th generation facility, which will increase dramatically brightness and coherent flux, ALBA is in a phase of growth and dynamics. Being a part of the ALBA team will promote your career and will give you the opportunities to explore new territories.

The scientific context of this PhD project is related to the safe use of metal anodes in next-generation batteries, with the focus on achieving smooth and uniform metal electrodeposition mitigating the formation of dendrites.

Metal anodes are highly attractive for rechargeable batteries due to their high specific capacity and high density compared to insertion anodes like graphite. However, the metal stripping and plating process inherent to metal anodes often lead to the nucleation and growth of metal dendrites. The growth of metal dendrites presents several challenges, including reduced Coulombic efficiency and safety hazards.

To address the dendrite growth issue, the project will introduce new electrolyte additive strategies aiming at altering the thermodynamics of metal plating and stripping and mitigating dendrite formation. The electrolytes will be developed in the framework of an ERC consolidator project (MULTIMETALBAT).

The hired student will develop a new operando synchrotron based FTIR (SR-FTIR) setup to characterize the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth and behaviour during cycling. This setup will enable insights into SEI composition and stability, critical for long-term battery performance. Additionally, operando SR-XRD measurements will provide valuable information on electrodeposition mechanisms, enhancing our understanding of metal anode reversibility. These insights will be correlated with electrochemical performance, such as plating/stripping reversibility.

The planned work will take place in the framework of a collaboration between ALBA (in particular MIRAS and MSPD beamlines) and ICMAB institute.

We are offering a PhD position of three years where the successful candidate will be involved in various battery operando characterization techniques to better understand and improve metal anode batteries.

For more information, you can take a look on our history watching this video:

Tasks
Your tasks will be:

• Adapt currently available operando setup at MIRAS and MSPD beamlines for SEI and metal anode characterization.
• Perform operando SR-FTIR measurements to understand the SEI formation / composition/ stability
• Perform operando SR-XRD measurements to understand the nucleation and growth mechanisms of metal anode.
• To successfully develop your tasks, you will work with a team of ALBA and ICMAB experts as external collaborators to achieve the goals. You will be able to share your work on internal meetings related to the MULTIMETALBAT project as well as attend national and international conferences. The environment near ALBA also enriches the PhD experience, with potent research centres at UAB campus to strengthen the acquired knowledge. Importantly, you are encouraged to use in your research other ALBA instruments such as other beamlines.

Requirements
The requirements for participation must be met on the date of the deadline for the submission of applications and will be accredited by means of the CV attached to it, without prejudice to the power of the selection body to require the contribution of the originals of the certifications accrediting the qualifications, training and work experience invoked in the CV.

Applications that do not present the aforementioned or required documentation during the selection procedure will not be accepted.

The successful candidate must:

• Hold a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Chemistry, Physics (optics) or related disciplines.
• Previous internship in a laboratory of the field using operando Electrochemistry, infrared spectroscopy and/or x-ray powder diffraction techniques.
• C1 level of English of both written and spoken is a must. The working language at ALBA and ICMAB is English.

Everyone who meets the requirements will be admitted for the selective process. This position is reserved for those candidates having the legal status of person with disabilities, with a degree of disability equal or greater than 33%. In case of one or more admitted applicants with this status of disability, these candidates will be evaluated at first. In the event that no candidate with the status of disability is finally selected for the position, the selection process shall continue and the rest of the applicants will be evaluated.

Selection Process Development
The selection will be carried out through the competition-opposition system.

As a first phase, an analysis of the curriculum will be carried out (assessment of previous experience and / or scientific history, degree, training and other professional information relevant to the position). Career breaks or variations in the chronological order of CVs will be regarded as an evolution of a career, and consequently, as a contribution to the professional development.

The assessment of the CV in the competition phase will be scored up to 40 points, which will consider the following aspects:

• Experience in FTIR spectroscopy and/or XRD techniques (15 points).
• Any additionalexperience in battery operando measurements (5points).
• Scientific publication record. (5 points).
• Experience in laboratory use of battery and electrochemistry (15 points).

The best rated candidates, at least two if possible, will be invited to an interview where the technical competence, knowledge, skills and professional experience linked to the position will be assessed, with a total score of 60 points. A minimum of 30 points must be obtained out of a total of 60 points to be eligible.

Provided they meet the minimum requirements and have ranked among the top five after the assessment of the CV phase, at least one person from the underrepresented gender in the division/office will be interviewed.

The interview will include at least:

• Scientific background on the topic of the PhD (20 points).
• Knowledge in FTIR spectroscopy and/or XRD techniques (15 points).
• Knowledge in electrochemistry and battery related research (5 points).
• Experience in laboratory practice and usage (5 points).
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary team (10 points).
  motivation for the position (5 points).

The merits will be accredited by means of the CV attached to the application. The selection board may require accreditation by additional documentation, originals or certified copies confirming the experience invoked in the CV.

In case of a tied final score, the position will be awarded to the person who belongs to the most underrepresented gender in the corresponding Division and subsidiarily to the overall company.

If necessary, alternates of the members of the selection board will be appointed by the president of the selection process, and the change will be published in the announcement.

The resolution of the selection procedure will be carried out within a maximum period of six months from the deadline for submitting applications for participation.

The selection process may be declared vacant if the selection board considers not to have found eligible candidates for the position although they might meet the requirements to participate in the selection process specified in the offer.

Other information
Temporary contract (three years of duration).

The Selection Board is composed by the following members:

Ibraheem Yousef, Francois Fauth, Alexandre Ponrouch, Laura Simonelli, Virgínia Boix de la Cruz.

The student will be supervised by Alexander Ponrouch (ICMAB), Ibraheem Yousef and Francois Fauth (ALBA)