Research Fellow - Next generation lithium-sulfur batteries with record energy density

Findauniversity Ltd.
11 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Quality Assurance Specialist

UAV Pilot

Senior Battery Integration Engineer

Product Safety Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Engineering Manager Aviation & Robotics

Research Fellow - Next generation lithium-sulfur batteries with record energy densityElectrochemistry, University of Southampton

Deadline:
10 March 2025

Position Details:
Location: Highfield Campus
Salary: £35,880 to £39,105 per annum
Full-time Fixed-term until 31st March 2027
Closing Date: Monday 10th March 2025
Reference: 2994825EB

Ultralightweight batteries able to deliver high energy are needed for a growing number of applications, including their use in solar-powered high-altitude drones for communications and remote sensing, for which the energy density of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries is insufficient.

Smartly designed lithium-sulfur batteries can deliver record energy densities of >400 Wh/kg, but their longevity and power capability are limited. Our recent work within the LiSTAR project has led to the discovery of new electrolytes capable of overcoming these limitations. This post will investigate their application into battery prototypes with commercial materials, in collaboration with OXLiD/Gelion, as well as elucidating the root causes of the performance improvements.

A full range of world-class facilities (correlative Raman, SEM and EDX microscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR, mass spectrometry, and fully equipped battery research laboratories) will be available for the project, with further capabilities provided by our project partners.

This post is suitable for chemists or materials scientists with a PhD (awarded or imminent) in chemistry, materials science, or a closely related discipline or equivalent qualification and experience, and a strong background in electrochemistry and/or analytical techniques.

Although the current funding for this vacancy is for 2 years, we expect to be able to extend the contract further, at a later stage, with additional funding from the Faraday Institution. There is flexibility about the start date.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Prof. Nuria Garcia-Araez.

Applications 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 completion of PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded, the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

UAV Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

UAVs (drones) have moved far beyond hobby flying. In the UK, they are now used every day for surveying, infrastructure inspection, construction progress, environmental monitoring, emergency response, film production, agriculture, offshore work & security. That growth has created a wide range of UAV job opportunities — and many of the most realistic routes into the sector are well suited to career switchers in their 30s, 40s & 50s. This article gives you a straight UK reality check on UAV careers: what roles genuinely exist, what training you really need, how long it takes to become employable, where the money is, what employers actually look for & whether age matters (usually far less than people assume).

How to Write a UAV or Drone Job Ad That Attracts the Right People

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are now used across a wide range of UK industries, including defence, aerospace, surveying, agriculture, energy, emergency services, infrastructure inspection and logistics. As the sector grows, so does demand for skilled UAV professionals — from pilots and engineers to software developers, systems specialists and compliance experts. Yet many employers struggle to attract the right candidates. UAV job adverts often receive either very few applications or a high volume of unsuitable ones. Experienced UAV professionals, meanwhile, regularly ignore adverts that feel vague, unrealistic or disconnected from real operational and regulatory requirements. In most cases, the problem is not a lack of talent — it is the clarity and quality of the job advert. UAV professionals are practical, safety-conscious and detail-oriented. A poorly written job ad signals weak understanding of aviation, regulation or operational reality. A clear, well-written one signals credibility, professionalism and long-term intent. This guide explains how to write a UAV job ad that attracts the right people, improves applicant quality and positions your organisation as a serious employer in the UAV sector.

Maths for UAV Jobs: The Only Topics You Actually Need (& How to Learn Them)

If you’re aiming for UAV jobs in the UK (drone pilot, UAV engineer, autonomy developer, payload specialist, flight test, survey, inspection, defence contractor roles) it’s easy to feel like you need “all the maths”. You don’t. Most real-world UAV roles repeatedly use a small set of maths topics: Linear algebra for frames, vectors & transforms Probability for sensor noise, estimation & decision confidence Complex numbers for signals, filters, RF links & control frequency response Basic optimisation for trajectory planning, tuning & trade-offs This article explains the only topics you actually need, how to learn them quickly, plus a 6-week plan & practical projects you can publish to prove the skills.