PhD in Mixed Ionic-Electronic Materials

Research area

The current service is part of the HEAT-BRIDGE project (High-Efficiency Thermal Energy Harvesting via Ionic Thermoelectric-Electronic Bridging), funded by an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The project aims to develop new methods for efficient conversion of low-grade heat into electricity.

Low-grade heat is found in large quantities in our environment, from the human body and electronic components to industrial processes, but is difficult to utilise today's technology. HEAT-BRIDGE meets this challenge by combining ionic thermoelectric materials, electrochemistry, mixed ionic-electronic materials and soft electronics to explore new ways of energy conversion. The project includes basic studies of materials and transport phenomena, advanced functional materials and the development of soft and deformable energy-harvesting components.

You will focus on mixed ionic-electronic conductive materials (MIEC materials) and their integration into soft electrochemical components for the next generation thermal energy extraction technology.

We announce two doctoral positions within the HEAT-BRIDGE project, but one can only be admitted to one of the two positions.

Your tasks

As a doctoral student, you are engaged in your doctoral studies and research projects where you are included. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental assignments, up to 20 percent of full-time.

The tasks include:

• Development and characterisation of soft MIEC materials.
• Development and characterisation of functional separation materials.
• studies of electronic and ionic transport and links between the structure and properties of functional materials;
• Integration of developed materials into soft and deformable components for thermal energy recovery.
• Characterisation and optimisation of the electrical, electrochemical, mechanical and energy-changing performance of materials and components.
• Production and validation of multi-cell components under representative low-grade heat sources and realistic operating conditions.
• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, publication of results in scientific journals, presentation at international conferences and collaboration with national and international research partners.

Your qualifications

You have completed a degree at advanced level in physics, material science, technical physics, chemical engineering or other field that is considered relevant to the project, or completed courses of at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits at second cycle in a relevant field of the service. You may also have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way.

Requirements for employment;

• Strong academic background in physics, material science, technical physics, chemical engineering or related field.
• knowledge of electronic and/or ionic transport in functional materials;
• Practical experience in material production, component manufacturing and/or physical characterisation.
• The ability to communicate well in English in speech and writing (all research at LOE is conducted in English).

Meritary experience for the position;

• Mixed ionic-electronic conductors, conductive polymers, carbon-based materials or other functional electronic materials.
• Polymer composites, functional soft materials, membranes, separators or other materials for electrochemical components.
• Characterisation of electrical and ionic transport in functional materials.
• Structural and morphology characterisation with e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray techniques or related methods.
• Thermoelectric materials and components or thermal energy recovery.
• manufacture and characterisation of flexible, soft or deformable electronic or electrochemical components;

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with great interest in functional materials, charging transport and energy conversion. The project explores a new and challenging component concept and therefore requires creativity, endurance and good problem-solving ability.

You should be able to work independently, take initiatives and collaborate effectively with researchers from different scientific fields. Good communication skills and willingness to work across traditional subject boundaries are important characteristics.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

Your workplace

You will work under the supervision of Associate Senior Lecturer Nara Kim vid The Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), Linköping University.

Nara Kim's research focuses on mixed ionic-electronic conductors, thermoelectric materials, electrochemical energy units and portable electronics. The research ranges from basic material science and charging transport to the development and integration of components and systems. She has received significant competitive research funding, including  ERC Starting Grant, grants from  The Swedish Research Council (VR)  and from Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE).

About the employment

In connection with access to the position, you will be admitted to the doctoral programme. Read more about each faculty's doctoral studies https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning

The employment is limited to normally four years full-time. The extension of employment for up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institution assignments. For special reasons, further extensions may take place. You will be hired for a period of one year, and then your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on your study plan. 

Transfer of possession in February/March 2027 or as agreed.

Salary and benefits

Postgraduate salary is regulated on the basis of a locally agreed salary ladder.

The entry salary for our doctoral students is currently SEK 35 300 per month. This level will be increased in the context of the annual salary audit of the year in October. As a doctoral student, the salary is also raised after 30 percent and 60 percent of the doctoral programme has been completed

Read more about employee benefits  https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner.

Application

You are applying for this position by clicking on the button "Apply" below. Your application must be submitted to Linköping University no later than October 30 2026.

The application received after the closing date for the application is not taken into account.