Doctoral student in circular battery materials: LFP from recovered phosphorus
Investigate converting municipal wastewater phosphorus into battery-grade lithium iron phosphate at Chalmers University of Technology.
Best for:Best for chemistry and materials science graduates with hands-on laboratory experience in inorganic synthesis or hydrometallurgy and a strong interest in sustainable energy materials.
Overview
Chalmers University of Technology invites applications for a fully funded four-year doctoral position focusing on the conversion of phosphorus recovered from municipal wastewater into battery-grade lithium iron phosphate (LFP). Working within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Daniel Weber and Martina Petranikova, the successful candidate will conduct hands-on research spanning waste-derived powder synthesis, hydrometallurgical purification, advanced material characterization, and electrochemical testing of coin cells. The role combines experimental materials chemistry with industrial collaboration, including participation in the PHOS4CELL project and potential research stays at European facilities. In addition to research, the candidate will take advanced graduate courses and contribute up to 20% of their time to undergraduate teaching or departmental duties.
What you'll do
- Synthesize lithium iron phosphate cathode materials from waste-derived phosphorus and commercial reference reagents using calcination, milling, reduction under hydrogen or carbothermal conditions, and carbon coating.
- Purify and characterize secondary phosphorus feedstocks and intermediates using hydrometallurgical methods in collaboration with the Petranikova group.
- Quantify material impurities using analytical techniques such as XRF, ICP, TOC, and CHNS analysis.
- Characterize material structure, composition, and morphology through powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement, particle size analysis, electron microscopy, and thermal analysis.
- Investigate particle engineering via precipitation and spray drying to optimize particle size and tap density for industrial applications.
- Assemble and test half and full coin cells, correlating electrochemical performance with material composition, impurity profiles, and particle characteristics.
- Complete advanced coursework within the relevant Chalmers graduate school.
- Collaborate with industrial partners through advisory board meetings, sample exchanges, and technical discussions, with a possible industrial research stay.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific conferences, and assist with undergraduate student supervision.
- Perform departmental duties or undergraduate teaching corresponding to up to 20 percent of working hours.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree (120 credits) or magisterexamen (60 credits) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, or a closely related field.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
Instruction: English
- Documented hands-on laboratory experience in materials chemistry, including inorganic powder synthesis and/or hydrometallurgical processing.
- Ability to independently plan, execute, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments while maintaining accurate documentation.
- Strong communication and collaborative skills for working in multidisciplinary teams and with industrial partners.
- Curious and analytical approach to experimental research with a willingness to investigate unexpected results.
- Must hold a qualifying Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
- Must maintain physical presence in Sweden throughout the entire study period and possess a valid residence permit by the start date.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-08
Prepare all application documents in English as individual PDF files not exceeding 40 MB each, ensuring no zip files are used. Submit the complete application through the official Chalmers recruitment portal before the specified deadline.
- CV
- Personal letter
- Master's thesis
- Master's transcripts
Contact
Daniel Weber
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