Postdoctoral position in Energy Materials Physics with Specialization in Advanced Materials Characterization

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of Uppsala University's largest with close to 400 employees, of which about 125 PhD students. The department conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. The research is carried out in ten research departments and involves everything from the unimaginable small to the large within energy supply, climate development, new materials and the universe. This whole spectrum is also reflected in the courses and programmes of the department. Around 2 500 students each year study courses at basic and advanced level at uu.se/physics The Division of X-ray Photon Science is a world leader in the development and use of advanced X-ray methods to study materials through the interaction of light and matter. This places us in the front line for studies at atomic level of atoms, molecules and condensed matter. The division covers the research programme Energy Materials Physics, with a particular focus on studies and development of materials, surfaces and interfaces of relevance for different energy applications, with an overall objective to contribute to the development of a sustainable society.

This recruitment is linked to COMPEL (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the Transport System), a strategic initiative by the Swedish Government to ensure Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and electrification of the transport sector. The platform integrates research and education along the battery value chain and offers an interdisciplinary network for collaboration. Within the framework of COMPEL, researchers are recruited early in their career with different competences in all parts of the battery value chain, with the vision of creating a unique interdisciplinary research and education environment. The initiative is based on strong cooperation between academic institutions and industrial partners to promote research, development and innovation.

The employee is expected to actively participate in national COMPEL activities such as seminars, courses, research visits, strategic meetings and other activities aimed at promoting strong interdisciplinary and international networks between doctoral students, postdocs, researchers and industry, as well as creating good conditions for future career development.

The position is located at the Department of X-ray Photon Science within the research programme Energy Materials Physics. The research is conducted in close collaboration with BatMAX, a national research platform for battery research with operations at the MAX IV Laboratory, which brings together leading expertise in advanced synchrotron-based methods, battery materials and electrochemical characterization to accelerate the development of the sustainable batteries of the future. The research environment also includes LigHt at the Tandem Laboratory, where advanced X-ray and ion-based methods complement experiments at MAX IV A significant part of the work will be located at the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, where the employee will work closely with researchers within BatMAX as well as responsible for relevant radiation tubes as well as international users of the facility.

We are looking for a candidate who will develop and use operando and in situ methods for battery research with a focus on photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study chemical, electronic and interface related processes in battery materials during operation. The studies will also include other synchrotron light-based methods, such as small-angle X-ray spread (SAXS) to follow structural changes in the materials.

The candidate will be part of a broad research environment within X-ray spectroscopy in the research programme Energy Materials Physics, which actively collaborates within the COMPEL network and is united by the common goal of strengthening the battery value chain in Sweden.

Tasks The main task is research, with the possibility of up to 20 % teaching. Specific tasks: Battery design and cell development Operando X-ray based measurement methods at both internal laboratories and synchrotron light sources, mainly MAX IV.

Analysis of spectroscopic data on battery samples.

Writing and publishing of scientific articles.

Participation in COMPEL activities around Sweden.

Qualification requirements Doctoral degree in physics, chemistry or material science or a foreign degree that is considered equivalent to a doctoral degree in physics, chemistry or material science. The degree must be completed no later than the time when the employment decision is taken. In particular, the person who has completed a degree not exceeding three years ago should be considered. When calculating the three-year framework period, the starting point is the closing date for applications. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust in trade unions, etc.

Good communication skills in speaking and writing in English are required.

Wishful/crediting otherwise Great importance will be attached to good cooperation, initiative and independence, as well as the applicant's experience and potential in the research area in question. Experience with synchrotron light-based experiments on energy materials is particularly meritorious. Experience in energy materials, instrument development or advanced instrument management is also meritorious.

If the employment is limited in time for 2 years according to a central collective agreement. The scope is full-time/100%. Access by agreement. Location: Uppsala and Lund Information about the position is provided by: Håkan Rensmo, +46 701679145, hakan.rensmo@physics.uu.se, Maria Hahlin, +46 730925100, maria.hahlin@physics.uu.se Welcome with your application no later than 30 October 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2804.

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