Last Date: 27th October 2024

Supervisors: Professor Jacob Lamb (Jacob.j.lamb@ntnu.no)

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering

About the job:

The primary focus of this position is the digitalization of batteries through a comprehensive approach encompassing laboratory experimentation, sophisticated modeling techniques, and the application of data-driven methodologies.

Batteries have emerged as pivotal components in the global endeavor towards decarbonizing the energy sector, particularly evidenced by the substantial rise in demand for electrified transportation worldwide. Despite the significant strides made, there remain notable research cavities within battery technologies. The convergence of experimental and digital research represents a critical step towards the advancement of these technologies. Therefore, the digitization of batteries promises to unlock new avenues for the application of modeling-based methodologies (including electrochemical, electrical equivalent, and physical models) and data-driven approaches to laboratory experimentation results. This innovative approach stands to expedite the development of battery technologies while facilitating the creation of digital twins, offering deeper insights into the functional parameters of these batteries.

The overarching aim of this PhD project is to conceive and cultivate digitized battery research in close collaboration with industry. Central to this endeavor is the exploration of whether modeling and data-driven methodologies can be effectively harnessed to augment parameterisation of battery technologies. By leveraging laboratory-acquired data, we seek to refine our experimental research focus, emphasizing computationally optimized theories and hypotheses. The creation of a digital twin for batteries holds the promise of expediting the process of theory and hypothesis testing, thereby minimizing the duration spent on less fruitful avenues of inquiry. Moreover, the integration of data-driven methodologies into the digital twin framework affords opportunities for refining theories and hypotheses, with a particular emphasis on enhancing key parameters such as charging and discharging kinetics.

The candidate for this educational research position must possess the requisite skills to conduct comprehensive battery analysis in the laboratory setting, including but not limited to battery cycling, parameter measurement, and diagnostic interrogation. Additionally, proficiency in applying data driven techniques to ascertain unknown battery parameters (such as state of health, aging, and internal thermal properties) is paramount.

You will report to Associate Professor Jacob Lamb to whom further inquiries may be directed.

NB: The application must include a brief description (~300 words) of possible implementation and data-driven strategies that pertain to the topic mentioned above (ie Project Proposal/Research Plan).

Duties of the position:

The candidate will plan and execute a comprehensive, independent research project under supervision. This will involve computational experiments, data analysis and integration.

The candidate will learn to master academic writing and be lead author of several journal publications.

The candidate is expected to present their work at international conferences and workshops.

The candidate is expected to collaborate internationally, which may involve extended periods outside of Norway.

The candidate is expected to contribute to the supervision of Masters students and other student projects.

About the application:

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfill the criteria specified above.

In order for us to evaluate your application, it must include the following: 

CV and certificates

transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.

A copy of the master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.

Project proposal

Name and contact information of three referees

If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found  here . If you already have a statement from  the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills , please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.