Research Fellow - New methods of lithium production and recycling

We are looking for a highly motivated research fellow to work on the development of new methods of lithium production and recycling from spent lithium-ion batteries. The project is a collaboration between the University of Southampton (Prof. Bartlett and Dr. Garcia-Araez), the University of Buenos Aires (Prof. Calvo), and the Research and Knowledge Transfer Centre of Jujuy (Prof. Flexer) 

The aim of the project is to develop a new, clean, fast and cheap method of lithium production and recycling that will be able to secure the sustainable production of lithium in Argentina, which is the fourth country with the largest lithium resources worldwide. The project puts together the expertise of the Argentinian team on electricity-driven lithium production and of the Southampton team on combining redox agents and battery materials. The project will last until February 2020, with a possibility of extension for one further year, and the PDRA will spend the first half of the project in Argentina and the other half in Southampton.

The University of Southampton is ranked in the top 1% of world Universities and it is placed in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive Universities. The department of Chemistry at Southampton was ranked 8th in the UK for research power in REF2014 and 4th in the UK for Chemistry in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2014, and offers a full range of world-class facilities (mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, battery assembly, etc.) which will be available for the project. 

The University of Buenos Aires is the largest of the country and the second largest university in Latin America and it is also ranked in the top 1% of world universities. The electrochemistry team, led by Prof. Calvo, is particularly strong, and very well equipped in terms of electrochemical instrumentation and analytical techniques. The Research and Knowledge Transfer Centre of Jujuy (CIT-Jujuy) Argentina) is a newly built research centre with a focus on strategic research on lithium applications.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Prof. Phil Bartlett (P.N.Bartlett@soton.ac.uk) or Dr Nuria Garcia-Araez (N.Garcia-Araez@soton.ac.uk).

This post is suitable for chemists or materials scientists with a PhD (awarded or imminent) and a strong background in electrochemistry and/or analytical techniques. The successful candidate will have a good publication record and enjoy working in the lab.

Please include a covering letter and full CV in your application. Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality.

 

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Elsa Samwell (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2507. Please quote reference 960818EB on all correspondence.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.