We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to explore advanced coating techniques for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) materials. This role focuses on developing cutting-edge solutions to enhance the performance of LFP batteries, with a particular emphasis on advanced material coating strategies.
The project addresses the growing need to improve the surface properties and stability of LFP materials, especially under high-performance applications. Traditional methods for coating and stabilizing LFP cathodes often face limitations in durability and electrochemical efficiency. This research aims to overcome these challenges by applying innovative coating techniques using polymer- and nanomaterial-based coatings. These advanced coatings will enhance not only the chemical and thermal stability of the LFP materials but also improve their electrochemical performance, surface area, and selective permeability.
The successful candidate will investigate methods to coating active materials, such as nanostructured coatings, to protect the LFP particles while optimizing their performance in high-energy-density applications. The coated LFP materials should exhibit superior mechanical and chemical resilience, ensuring that the coatings maintain their structural integrity during industrial-scale operations.
Key research areas include:
Developing novel polymer- or nanomaterial-based shells to coat the LFP particles
Enhancing the surface properties of the coatings to selectively permit ion diffusion, increasing the electrochemical performance while reducing unwanted reactions.
Ensuring that the coated LFP materials remain stable under high-voltage and cycling conditions typical in energy storage applications.
Focusing on scaling these advanced materials for industrial applications, from traditional battery technologies to more innovative energy storage systems.
This position will contribute to the next generation of LFP-based batteries, improving their safety, efficiency, and overall performance for sustainable energy storage solutions.
Job Description :
The successful candidate will carry out duties to the highest standard and will:
- Undertake original research of international excellence.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own and/or collaborative research projects.
- Publish papers in leading journals and present research findings at national/international conferences, workshops, and meetings to effectively disseminate the results and contribute to successful research outputs.
- Communicate the development, progress and results of research activities to the team, Communicate the development, progress and results of research activities to the team to ensure that relevant information and issues in the implementation of projects/experiments are captured in as comprehensive and timely manner as possible.
- Establish collaborative links with the core scientific personnel in related program areas to gain exposure to and build knowledge on experimental/research activities and approaches, in order to improve conceptual development and industrial implementation.
- Identify areas of improvement within the research structure using integrated management approaches in pursuit of capacity building/strengthening and the preservation of scientific rigor in research studies.
- Support if required, the development of proposals for research funding.
Candidate PROFILE :
- PhD in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related subject.
- Expertise in electrochemistry, polymer chemistry, and materials synthesis.
- Proficient in the materials (polymers and nanomaterials) characterization.
- Solid knowledge and experience in polymer coating and LFP or other battery electrode materials.
- Hands-on experience in battery fabrication and characterization.
- Familiarity with energy storage technologies is preferred.
Associated Skills :
- Experience working on a project combining organic materials synthesis, purifications, and their characterization.
- Proven past experiences on the preparation and characterization of polymers and electrochemistry.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
- Proven ability of working with projects partners to reach their objectives timely.
- Excellent networking ability and organizational skills.
- Proven and distinct work experiences in academia and/or industries and/or abroad are highly requested.
- Ability to generate new ideas, links, and builds upon existing ones to generate unique concepts and solutions.
- Experience in co-supervision and coordination of masters and PhD level students.
- Excellent communication in both English and French languages.
- Good publication track record in peer-reviewed journals with respect of the career development.
- Willingness to work on an international team and travel between Morocco and Canada.
Team Members :
- UM6P – Dr. Mouad Dahbi – Dr. Mohamed Aqil
- University Of Waterloo (Waterloo) – Dr. Yuning Li (Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology).
Program Details:
- UM6P will be the administrative body for the program, where candidates will apply to the UM6P Postdoctoral Program and will be formally employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) by UM6P. Candidates will be paid through the UM6P administration for the entire length of the program.
- The salary is $2,000 USD/month (approximately $2,700 CAD per month), as guaranteed by UM6P for the entirety of the program.
- Waterloo co-supervisors may offer additional funding support to the candidates for their residency at Waterloo. The amount and duration of additional funding will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- The program duration will normally be three years; during this time the residency will be split between the UM6P and Waterloo campuses. Candidates will spend a total residency of one year and half (1.5) years at Waterloo and a total residency of one year and half (1.5) year at UM6P. The details and schedule will be determined upon mutual agreement by the candidates and their respective UM6P and Waterloo co-supervisors.
