phd thesis in renewable energy

Doctor of Philosophy in sustainable energy

About the doctor of philosophy degree.

Today’s global energy transitions demand leaders who can seamlessly navigate interwoven technical, societal, and environmental challenges. The newly established PhD in sustainable energy, offered on ASU’s Tempe campus, transcends the boundaries of traditional methodologies and disciplinary viewpoints to achieve a sustainable energy future.

Students in the degree program will conduct collaborative cross-disciplinary research integrating energy science with societal and policy insights. Drawing upon emerging knowledge and deep historical insights, and integrating information from the physical, biological, and social sciences, students will explore and contribute to sustainable solutions that address urgent energy challenges now and in the future.

Graduates will be prepared to bridge diverse domains and communities, fostering socio-technical innovation and developing sustainable energy solutions and policies.

Admission requirements

Students may be admitted to the PhD in sustainable energy program with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from an international institution officially recognized by that country. Applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged.

Learning outcomes

PhD in sustainable energy graduates will have an advanced understanding of the dynamics and complexity of global energy systems and will be able to lead others in research providing adaptive solutions to specific sustainable energy challenges. In addition to the common learning outcomes, PhD in sustainable energy students will be able to:

• Use their analytical and theoretical knowledge to elucidate and contextualize complex, transdisciplinary issues surrounding energy.
• Contribute to the body of knowledge of complex energy systems through transdisciplinary research.
• Function within the science-policy nexus with a unique understanding of issues and proposing innovative solutions.
• Produce a portfolio of research accomplishments in complex energy systems that will position them to be competitive for employment opportunities in academia, industry, and government.

If admitted with a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 84 semester hours. If admitted with a master’s degree, they must complete a minimum of 54 hours.

Requirements and electives

Courses and electives

Core courses.

SOS 571: Sustainable Energy I: Technologies and Systems (3 credits) This is the first in a sequence of foundational courses (571, 572, and 573) in the graduate program for sustainable energy. This course provides a primer on the scientific, technological, and social aspects of energy. It has three core modules: (1) primer on the physics of energy, (2) a review of power systems and electricity generation technologies, and (3) a review of transportation systems and fuel/vehicle technologies. Although the class focuses on energy technology, it also incorporates discussions of the human dimensions of energy systems.

SOS 572: Sustainable Energy II: Transitions (3 credits) This course follows the thread of energy transitions through every aspect of our lives. It stresses the technological, economic, social, and political contexts of energy transitions. It addresses energy use throughout history, the influence of energy on quality of life, how energy use has influenced the process of urbanization and how considerations of access to and control of energy sources shapes geopolitical strategies.

SOS 573: Sustainable Energy III: Futures Analysis, Negotiation and Governance (3 credits) This course provides a basis for understanding the intersection of social, political, cultural, economic, and technical dynamics of existing and emerging energy system possibilities, emphasizing the roles of human decision-making as well as new scientific and technological developments. It emphasizes the development of sophisticated competency in several broad thematic capacities that are required to understand, engage with, and provide thought leadership in the ongoing challenge of creating and cultivating sustainable energy systems.

SOS 574: Sustainable Energy Analytics in Context (3 credits) This course will address the primary metrics, data sources, and methodologies used to measure sustainable energy, including how they are used to track progress toward sustainability goals and shape public policies. It covers the metrics for comparing the cost, efficiency, social equity and environmental impacts of various energy sources, and issues pertaining to product life cycle evaluation. These metrics provide the foundation for assessing the relative merits of various energy and production options based on a variety of possible criteria. In addition to imparting factual knowledge for quantitatively evaluating a multiplicity of energy sources and systems and their impact on the environment, it will build skills in research, comparative analysis and critical thinking that will catalyze a lifetime of engagement with the complex and evolving issues surrounding sustainability.

SOS 575: Sustainable Energy Research Seminar (1 credit) This is a seminar-based course for Sustainable Energy doctoral students focusing on research skills for transdisciplinary energy research. The seminar has a different focus in the Fall and Spring. In the Fall, the course focuses on research methods. In the Spring, the course focuses on the process of generating research ideas and writing effective research proposals.

SOS 589: Community of Scholars (1 credit) This seminar provides the opportunity to develop new skills, to foster cohort building, to interact with other students and faculty in the School of Sustainability, and to network and build support with the alumni network.

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Integration of renewable energy with urban design : based on the examples of the solar photovoltaics and micro wind turbines

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Design and Optimization of a Renewable Energy Based Smart Microgrid for Rural Electrification

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Renewable energy and the historic environment: an analysis of policy and practice

Green, Helen Mary (2018) Renewable energy and the historic environment: an analysis of policy and practice. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

As the renewable energy sector in Scotland, particularly in the past fifteen years, onshore wind, has grown, so have landscape impacts and impacts on the settings of heritage assets – on how they are perceived and experienced in their landscape context. Such non-physical impacts, characterised in archaeology as ‘indirect’, nonetheless affect the cultural fabric of society, and are linked with issues such as social tensions, tourism, local identities and political values. Moreover, setting impacts have been the subject of intense disagreement within the archaeological profession. This research aims to critically examine the concept of setting, the effectiveness of various related processes and of recent policy and practice, the causes of tension and disagreement, and the value of strategies proposed to redress the balance where setting impacts have been deemed insufficient to prevent development. The ultimate aim in doing this is to consider potential future directions. I approach these issues using a conceptual framework based on perceptual experience, values and ethics, which sees these as relational in nature and broadly supports a discourse of sustainability to which the cultural dimension is fundamental. The aims are addressed through a focus on three case studies, dating between 2004 and 2009: all windfarm proposals culminating in public inquiries, in Orkney, Caithness and Clydesdale. The time elapsed enables reflection both grounded in hindsight and taking account of subsequent changes; and in the cases of consented and built developments, additional insight into actual, as opposed to potential, impacts that was unavailable during the case study period to the actors involved. I investigated the case studies through public inquiry reports, landscape visualisations and setting assessments, other available online and documentary sources, fieldtrips and informal qualitative interviews. I found that the concept of setting has evolved over the past decade, in part as a result of testing through onshore wind energy developments, and the work of heritage professionals of all kinds, whose different roles and remits have contributed to strong differences of opinion. Setting also must be differentiated from landscape impacts and from more general windfarm opposition: it is fundamentally about the cultural significance of heritage assets as experienced by people, in the widest sense of the term. However, how people value and experience heritage sites in Scotland remains under-researched. I also found that this debate is interconnected with certain injustices, some of which are quite embedded, and that one of the most significant of these was the disparity between levels of investment in the heritage resource in different areas of Scotland, which can be self-perpetuating. I argue that development-related processes can contribute positively to this situation, through for example more effective use of the data and analysis so generated, greater involvement of local communities, and the development of research-based principles and guidance to facilitate greater innovation and flexibility in relation to compensatory mitigation measures.

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Here you can find an overview of PhD-theses that use the EnergyPLAN model.

Title: Increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources by using power to heat technologies in power systems based on coal.

Author: Drilon Meha, University of Zagreb, 2021.

This thesis focuses mostly on the integration of variable renewables using power-to-heat technologies in district heating systems. This thesis studies the quantification and validation of heat demand distribution within a small municipality using a newly developed Bottom-up and Top-down heat mapping method.

In this thesis, the EnergyPLAN model was used to analyze sustainable transition in coal-based energy systems by considering power to heat technologies in district heating and individual heating systems. It also uses EnergyPLAN model to create scenarios that show how coal-dependent energy systems can change their configuration from the technical, environmental and economical point of view to become more environmentally acceptable.

If you wish to view or download this thesis, click on the following link.

Title: Modelling Renewable Energy Islands: and the Benefits for Energy Planning.

Author: Hannah Mareike Marczinkowski, Aalborg University, 2021.

This PhD thesis defines the role of islands in the field of sustainable energy planning by looking into how islands may contribute. It critically reflects on the work done with islands and their models and on the benefits for both energy planners and islanders, supports the transition towards 100% renewable energy share.

In this thesis, EnergyPLAN was used to evaluate the models of islands, specifically Samsø, Orkney and Madeira, and to find parallels and differences between islands and other energy system models. Island models in EnergyPLAN can help demonstrate complex energy systems in small scale, and can bring new knowledge when discussing them together with the islanders.

Title: From the production to the utilization of renewable fuels: An energy system perspective.

Author: Andrei David Korberg, Aalborg University, 2021.

This thesis is a feasibility study that sets the scene on the role of renewable fuels in future energy systems for both stationary and transport applications.

In this thesis, EnergyPLAN was used to model the Danish and European energy systems with varying levels of renewable fuels to determine where and in what way each fuel plays a role in reaching a cost-efficient, sustainable and renewable energy system.

Title: Sustainable Local Energy Planning, The Role of Renewable Energy Scenarios

Author: David William Maya-Drysdale, Aalborg University, 2020.

This PhD project focuses on the local energy planning paradigm towards sustainable energy (decarbonisation) in cities. Specifically, the project focuses on the complex decarbonised energy system as a concept and design demonstrated through scenarios. The research investigates what this means for the local energy planning paradigm asking the research question: “How can sustainable energy scenarios facilitate the local energy planning paradigm?”

In this thesis, the EnergyPLAN model was used to analyse a 100% renewable energy system in Sønderborg, Denmark. It was also used to analyse the role of nearly zero energy buildings within a 100% renewable energy system in Denmark.

Title: Renewable energy for sustainable development: Reviewing the Nicaraguan Energy Transition, its challenges and opportunities

Author: Maria Movsessian, Europa-Universität Flensburg, 2020.

Focusing on Nicaragua as a representative developing country, this thesis examines the role of renewable energy in a country’s path to sustainable development. Key drivers and challenges for a transition to low-carbon economies are identified and recommendations to aid a swift, just and democratic transformation of the Nicaraguan energy system are provided.

In this thesis, the EnergyPLAN model was used to model alternative energy pathways for Nicaragua based on the smart energy systems approach and the principles of energy justice and democracy. Additionally, EnergyPLAN facilitated the performance of a techno-economic evaluation of the energy pathways developed.

Title: Contextual Aspects of Smart City Energy Systems Analysis: Methodology and Tools

Author: Jakob Zinck Thellufsen, Aalborg University, 2017.

The thesis defines the concept of smart city energy systems. The thesis emphasises the need to investigate the smart city energy system and two contextual aspects. The system integration context and the geographical context.

In the thesis EnergyPLAN is used to calculate local and national energy systems, with the purpose of analysing the interconnection and interchange between the systems. To assist with these analysis the help tool MultiNode is developed as part of the thesis.

Title: Development of innovative tools for multi-objective optimization of energy systems.

Author: Md Shahriar Mahbub, University of Trento, 2017.

The thesis proposes a complete generalized framework for automatically identifying energy scenarios (a complete set of parameters describing a system) to optimize multiple objectives. The framework is developed by coupling a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and EnergyPLAN. The results show that the tool can handle multiple energy sectors together, moreover, a number of optimized trade-off scenarios are identified. The framework opens a door for policymakers to optimize corresponding energy systems in terms of multiple objectives and choose the appropriate one for his/her respective region.

In this thesis, EnergyPLAN is used to simulate energy scenarios as an evaluation phase of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, calculating different objectives. The simulation of scenarios is an essential step for the identification of optimized scenarios.

Title: The modelling future of future energy scenarios for Denmark.

Author: Pil Seok Kwon, Aalborg University, 2014.

Denmark is the first country to make a commitment to become a fossil fuel-free country by 2050 and announce various 2050 energy plans for the commitment. This PhD thesis explores the perspectives of uncertain and necessary subjects like biomass availability and flexible demand within the 2050 future Denmark scenario. 

Title: Wind power integration with heat pumps, heat storages, and electric vehicles – Energy systems analysis and modelling.

Author: Karsten Hedegaard, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2013.

The fluctuating and only partly predictable nature of wind challenges an effective integration of large wind power penetrations. This PhD thesis investigates to which extent heat pumps, heat storages, and electric vehicles can support the integration of wind power. Considering the gaps in existing research, main focus is put on individual heat pumps in the residential sector and the possibilities for flexible operation. Extensive model development is performed that significantly improves the possibilities for analysing individual heat pumps and heat storages in an energy system context. System effects are analysed with use of mainly the Balmorel model. The EnergyPLAN model is also applied in one of the six papers. 

Title: The integration of sustainable transport into future renewable energy systems in China

Author: Wen Liu, Aalborg University, 2011.

This PhD thesis focuses on identifying suitable transport technologies and strategies based on renewable energy and evaluating such technologies from the perspective of overall renewable energy system integration. The developed methodologies have been applied to the case of China. 

A download link to view this thesis is not available at the moment.

Title: Fuel cells and electrolysers in future energy systems (2006-2009)

Author: Brian Vad Mathiesen, Aalborg University, 2008.

Fuel cells and electrolysers have the potential for supplying three main energy services to the end-users: electricity, heat and transport; and can replace existing less efficient or more polluting technologies. The challenge is to identify in which applications these technologies should be used for.  In the future energy systems, the key technologies are intermittent energy resources, such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal and wave power, as well as more efficient energy conversion technologies, such as CHP and energy savings in demand. In the thesis, different applications of fuel cells and electrolysers in future energy systems have been analyzed.

The EnergyPLAN model has been applied to the analyses of individual house heating systems and has been used to identify how excess electricity can be utilised. 

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Theses at the mse coses lab.

As part of the research at the CoSES Lab of the MSE theses are also available. These can be found on the CoSES homepage .

Renewable Energy Library Dissertation Research: Welcome

• 1. Introducing Dissertation Research
• 2. Identify: Key Research Concepts
• 3. Identify:Information Types
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This guide introduces the skills and techniques you can use for effective library research for your dissertations and research projects.

Work through each section using the menu tabs above, or the Next button at the bottom of the page. 

There will be activities for you to complete as you go so that you can learn by doing and self test your learning.

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You can download and use a dissertation  workbook to make notes as you progress through the tutorial.  By the end you'll have a plan you can use to help you complete your library research for your dissertation, project or research proposal.

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• Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 2:58 PM
• URL: https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/c.php?g=671058

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Scroll down for our thesis FAQs on the application and writing process.

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• Machine Learning for Power Market Analysis at the Center for Energy Markets (master)
• Master thesis in cooperation with Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT)  (master)
• Damages of high-voltage vehicles (HV-Fahrzeuge)  (master)

See a list of general topics/ past master theses below.

General Theses Topics

We welcome any energy, energy transition, and energy policy related topics. You can approach us with your own or ideas you want to develop in collaboration with an industry partner. The topics below reflect a list of possible thesis topics.

• Energy- and environment-related entrepreneurship
• Environmental regulation 
• Energy transition and the evolution of international trade 
• Financing of energy transition: strategies for energy companies 
• ESG impact on investmnent in the energy sector
• Auction and game theory applied to energy markets 
• Energy storage 
• Modelling of energy prices
• Stochastic optimization in energy markets
• Network and infrastructure regulation
• Power markets and renewable integration
• Renewable energies
• Diffusion of digitization technologies in power sector
• Responsible Development of the Extractive Mining Industry
• ESG Impact on Investment in Extractive Mining Industry
• Modelling of energy prices: How technologic developments affects price correlations
• Investments and co-investmnents in H2
• The choice of energy projects portfolio
• Competition of hydrogen technologies: Green vs. Blue
• Financing of Energy Transition: Strategies for Energy Companies 
• Evolution of the LNG Market: data-driven country strategy analysis
• Electric mobility
• How to achieve carbon neutrality
• Carbon vs. price competition
• Data-driven models on energy transition
• Multi-objective (Data-driven) Optimization
• Modeling energy trade networks (using IEA, IHS, other data)
• Digitization and its impact on technologies adoption
• Social and environmental implications of technology, with a focus on electronic waste
• Corporate social responsibility of lead firms in the electronics commodity chain
• Modern consumption of technology
•  International climate politics and policy with a focus on renewable energy solutions.
• Media and climate change
• Environmental justice and inequality with a focus on waste issues

Thesis FAQs

Finding a topic.

• Can I suggest an own topic? We on occasion post current topics of bachelor's and master's theses on our webpage but you are also encouraged to approach us with your own ideas, possibly in collaboration with an industry partner.

Application Process

Please refer to this Google Form  for detailed description and use it for the application. 

Supervision

• Who will be my supervisor? Your thesis examiner will be either Prof. Schwenen or Prof. Ikonnikova possibly in collaboration with one of the doctoral researchers at the CEM for the supervision.   
• Do I have to write a thesis proposal? If you decide to write a thesis on a topic agreed by us, the next step is to write a short thesis proposal (maximum three pages). This proposal should (i) define the research question, (ii) indicate the data and methodology to be used and (iii) discuss the related literature. After this step, your thesis can be registered.  
• How many meetings with the supervisor are necessary? One meeting per month is a good rule of thumb. Please always send your questions prior to the meeting.  
• Can I get feedback on my thesis before handing in? If you have specific questions, you can get feedback on these. General feedback is not possible, as this would be equivalent to reading the whole thesis upfront.

Registration

• How do I register my thesis? As soon as you and your supervisor agreed on a topic, you need to fill out the required form, sign it and send it to your supervisor. TUM SoM  form ; For students of other departments please check the form with your respective  department .  
• Can I still change the title afterwards? Changing the title is possible. Contact your supervisor to that end at least 1 month before handing in.

Writing Process

• What is the quantitative scope of my thesis? As a rule of thumb, bachelor's theses should have about 25 to 35 pages and master's theses about 50 to 60 pages.  
• What are the main evaluation criteria? Coherent literature review, language, execution of the topic, reaction to difficulties (esp. redefining the scope of the thesis during the process). A thesis has to adhere to scientific standards. It is your duty to familiarize yourself with those standards.  
• Should I write the thesis in Word or Latex? If not stated otherwise by your supervisor this is up to you.  
• How does the thesis have to be formatted? Make sure that your thesis is appropriately and consistently formatted. As an orientiation we provide exemplary Word and Latex templates. Appropriate fonts are for example Times New Roman pt. 12 or Arial pt. 11. Appropriate page margins can for example be 3cm left, 3cm right, 2.5cm top, 1.5cm bottom. To be sure, check your formatting with your supervisor.  
• How do I cite properly? If not stated otherwise by your supervisor, citation-style is APA.  
• How do I proceed with own graphics? State that it is your own graphic in the caption. If it is your own design but based on a graphic from a book/ paper, please add: “based on source”.

For further questions, please contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: Please note that only those examination regulations that can be found on the website of the TUM business faculty are legally binding.

• CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research
• Posted on: 7 June 2024

PhD position in Scanning transmission electron microscopy characterisation of high energy density solid-state batteries (M/F)

Job Information

Offer description.

This PhD thesis is funded by CNRS as part of Joint Research Program with University of Chicago (within the framework of CNRS' “MITI” programs (Mission pour les Initiatives Transverses et Interdisciplinaires). The international collaboration is thus a major aspect of the PhD and the successful candidate will be a key asset to strengthen this collaboration. The location of the PhD will be essentially at IMN and registered at the French Doctoral School in Nantes. But many stays are planned at University of Chicago. The host laboratory is the Institute of Materials of Nantes Jean Rouxel (IMN, UMR 6502, http://www.cnrs-imn.fr ). The IMN is a joined research centre between CNRS and the Nantes University, composed by over 200 staff members including over 120 permanent staff members (professors, CNRS researchers, engineers) and around 80 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. The successful PhD candidate will benefit from interaction with numerous colleagues working on a number of fields of material sciences through experiments using a myriad of advanced characterization techniques and through simulations. Through this project, the PhD candidate will be part of a renowned group working on the development and characterisation of Li-ion batteries (Silicon, high Ni oxides, organic based…). The PhD student will be supervised both by a professor in this group (Philippe Moreau) and by a CNRS research director (Joël Gaubicher) with long experience in lithium battery materials and devices. Prof. Ying Shirley Meng will also take part in the regular follow-up owing to her long expertise in solid-state batteries and their thin films manufacturing. The PhD student will have direct and easy access to the electron microscopy facility at IMN allowing the development of cutting-edge experiments in the domain.

Objectives: One of the main asset of quantum technologies could be their decrease need of electric power compared to present ones. Although a very controversial perspective, future technologies could happen to operate with smaller sources of energies and their miniaturisation might come up as a useful feature. Microbatteries could also be of much use for the coming era of Internet of Things (IoT). The “Q-batt” collaboration between IMN-CNRS in Nantes and University of Chicago proposes to target high-energy density innovative systems and characterize them at the nanometre level so that they can be optimized for the coming challenges of energy moderation. Some microbattery configurations using a well-known solid state-electrolyte (amorphous oxynitride) show already quite reasonable performance but they can be hampered in various conditions (for example at moderately elevated temperature). In addition, the capacity mainly governed by the positive electrode chemistry (spinel phase) is smaller than that provided by more recently discovered compositions (like Ni-rich oxides), which could help increasing the energy density of such systems. Finally, new halide-based electrolytes could provide some extra-capacity or high-voltage stability of use to further increase the performance of microbatteries. All these prospective improvements rely on the perfect knowledge and mastering of structures, chemistries and interfaces created in the whole microbattery, so that they can be corrected accordingly for higher performance. Such information can only gained with the adequate spatial resolution by the use of electron microscopy techniques and the objective of this PhD study is to develop, exploit and process such techniques to that end. Owing to the reactivity of all the components and their sensitivity to air moisture, the precise measurements are quite challenging (probably to be performed at cryogenic temperature) but the plate-form at IMN-CNRS has all the necessary high-level instruments and the expertize to make important advances in that field.

Job description / Activities: The successful PhD candidate will concentrate on the characterization of thin films down to the nanometre level thanks to advanced electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Three different devices will be studied in detail and compared, especially on the quality/nature of the interfaces existing/created within the microbattery. These analyses will be performed both on the pristine batteries and on batteries after cyling (a few cycles and prolonged cycling). Owing to complexity of such analyses and the previous expertize of the Meng's group at University of Chicago, a first well-known microbattery will be used to define and optimize the protocols at IMN's electron microscopy facility. Especially the usefulness of a cryogenic temperature will be explored to gain representative data. Then, the chemistry of the positive electrode will be changed to a more challenging and possibly capacity relevant nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide. Finally, the electrolyte part will also be replaced by a halide based one, which has very recently been shown by the collaboration IMN-Chicago University to have peculiar and innovative electrochemical behaviour. To achieve all these high-level studies and gain a better understanding of these innovative devices at the relevant nanometre level, the PhD candidate will have access to unique imaging and analytical electron microscopy capabilities in the IMN ( https://plassmat.cnrs-imn.fr/en/ ). Imaging and spectroscopy analysis will be performed using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) thanks to the Nant'Themis (S)TEM (Thermo Fisher Scientific Themis Z G3). This probe corrected microscope is equipped with specialized holders for operando measurements, with low dose mode and highly sensitive detectors (iDPC, direct detection of electrons). Most importantly, sample holders required for handling air and beam sensitive samples will be available. Especially, a unique (so far in France) sample holder allowing for low temperature (cryogenic) and vacuum transfer associated with double tilt capabilities will be extensively used. Furthermore, samples as a form of thin films can best be analysed when prepared with a Focused Ion Beam to prepared thin lamella appropriate for (S)TEM. The PhD candidate will thus have also to use the Crossbeam 550L of IMN also equipped with transfer devices and cryo possibilities adapted for TEM lamella preparation.

Profile and requirements: You hold a MSc in the physics, materials science, engineering or related disciplines. You have some experience in characterization by electron microscopy techniques and image processing and analysis in relation with those. You have good understanding of spectroscopic techniques (such as EELS, EDS) and have a good basic knowledge of electron mater interactions. Your knowledge of materials chemistry is sufficient to take into account the specificities brought by compounds found in lithium batteries and the reaction they might lead to. You have a special taste for delicate, precise and challenging experiments and are thus very dedicated and perseverant. You can interact fluently in English with other researchers so that collaboration with the University of Chicago partner is fluid and efficient. You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative, and cooperative, with a taste for scientific rigor. You are able to communicate to different audiences.

Where to apply

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