Belgium Job Openings

KU Leuven

Modeling dendrite growth in Li-ion battery materials

Leuven

FULL TIME

September 13, 2024

Modeling dendrite growth in Li-ion battery materials

(ref. BAP-2024-574)
Laatst aangepast: 20/08/24

This is a joint Ph D position at KU Leuven (Belgium) and Silesian University of Technology (Poland). As a Ph D student on this project, you will first work for 2 years at KU Leuven (multi-physics microstructure evolution simulations) and then for 2 years at Silesian University of Technology (attentive generative AI models). Both affiliations will be mentioned on your Ph D diploma. Both supervisors (from KU Leuven and Silesian University of Technology) will follow your progress closely during the 4 years and you will have regular project meetings with both supervisors involved to assure the continuity of the Ph D research.

At KU Leuven you will work at the Department of Materials Engineering in the research group Nano- and Micro Design of Materials (website: https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/scalint/NMDM/nano-microstructure-design-materials)

At Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, you will work at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (https://www.polsl.pl/rmt/).

Project

Lithium ion batteries are considered as the materials of the future when it comes to efficient energy storage. One of the remaining problems limiting their lifespan is the formation of lithium dendrites. They are responsible for problems such as short circuits, failures and fires, electrolyte decomposition, and loss of active lithium in these batteries. Dendrite formation is an interfacial process spanning numerous length- and time scales. Despite decades of research, their composition, structure and formation still present a significant conundrum. Achieving completely dendrite-free battery interfaces can only be possible through the correct understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing dendritic evolution.
In the Ph D research, you combine multi-physics finite-element simulations with the use of (generative) AI models. Within the multi-physics finite-element model, the morphological evolution of the dendrites due to electrochemical reactions, diffusion, convection and other physical effects will be simulated for two different situations

- liquid and solid electrolytes. The resulting computational datasets will be combined with experimental datasets to train attention mechanism (AM) based generative and/or discriminative machine learning (ML) models (such as Mesh Graph Net, variational autoencoder, transformers, ....).
The objective is to generate in-silico novel battery architectures or structures that are resistant to dendrite growth.

The project is jointly financed by Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk onderzoek Vlaanderen (FWO) and Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN).

Profile

We are looking for 2 Ph D students with a strong background in engineering and mathematics and materials science and/or electrochemistry to perform research on the simulation of dendrite growth in Li-ion battery materials. Programming experience is an advantage.

As a Ph D student, your main task will be to do research in collaboration with other Ph D students and researchers. For this position the research work will be mostly numerical and computational work (model development, code implementation, use of finite-element and AI software and analysis of simulation output). You will also have to disseminate your research by writing journal papers, giving presentations on international conferences and participating in outreach activities.
At KU Leuven, you will also have to follow a number of technical and general subject classes and you will have some teaching duties, such as guidance of master/bachelor thesis students, guidance of students in lab and exercise sessions or surveillance during exams.
At KU Leuven, admission to the doctoral program requires that you have obtained your master diploma with a high score and good English proficiency (IELTS: average of 6.5 or more; TOEFL: average of 79 or more; or equivalent).

More information on the doctoral program and admission requirements at KU Leuven: https://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/e/CQ_50045518.htm#activetab=toelatingsvoorwaarden

More information on the doctoral program and admission requirements at Silesian University of Technology: https://rekrutacja.polsl.pl/jdsdocuments/

Offer

Doctoral scholarship of 4 years (under the condition that you comply with all requirements at specific milestones in the Ph D program). The starting date is flexible to a certain extent. We guarantee

Guidance by world renowned experts in their field
International work environment
Stimulating learning environment

More information on salary and working conditions under a doctoral scholarship at KU Leuven: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#working-conditions and https://www.kuleuven.be/english/life-at-ku-leuven/immigration-residence/pdf-admissions/ADU_Introductiesessiepredocsendoctoraatsstudentenofbursalen (you will receive the KU Leuven scholarship during the first 2 years of the Ph D)

More information about doctoral scholarship at Silesian University of Technology: https://www.polsl.pl/rjo15-sd/en/phd-student/scholarships-and-programs/ (valid during the 4 years of the Ph D)

More information about NCN scholarships: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2022/uchwala124_2022-zal1_ang.pdf (you will receive the NCN scholarship in the last 2 years of the Ph D)

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Nele Moelans, email: nele.moelans@kuleuven.be, and dr inz. Anil Kunwar, email: anil.kunwar@plsl.pl

The vacancy is open for applications till September 25, 2024, or until we have found suitable candidates. We may start with interviews before September 25, 2024. We advise you to submit your files as soon as they are ready and not to wait till September 25.

Application for the same position at Silesian University of Technology at https://www.polsl.pl/rmt/oferty-pracy/ (vacancy number: PFML-S-2024-1) is also required. You have to apply both on KU Leuven and Silesian side, since it is a joint Ph D at the two universities.

You can apply for this job no later than September 25, 2024 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be

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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds

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Locatie : Leuven

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Solliciteren tot en met:
25/09/2024 23:59 CET

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Tags: Materiaalkunde, Wiskunde, Computerwetenschappen, Chemie, Ingenieurswetenschappen

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