The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive and interdisciplinary profile fields in research and teaching.
The following full-time position is available at the Chair of Ecological Resource Technology at the Faculty for Engineering Science, starting at the earliest convenience:
PhD position (m/f/d) on Sustainable Material Flows for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Post-Lithium Batteries
The Chair for Ecological Resource Technology focuses on modelling, simulation, and evaluation of environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies for the recovery of valuable secondary raw materials. Our research is about the use and processing of resources in global cycles from mining, fabrication and product use up to recycling. We use methods of Industrial Ecology, in particular Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis and Raw Material Criticality Assessment, evaluating environmental and techno-economic aspects. The young research group values interdisciplinary collaboration and offers you a variety of opportunities to actively participate.
The dissertation project is embedded into the graduate program of the Bavarian Center for Battery Technology (BayBatt). The BayBatt bundles battery-specific expertise in physics and chemistry, material science and engineering, as well as information technology and economics. Batteries are key enablers for the sectors e-mobility, stationary home and grid applications, electronics, and power tools. The research topic shall assess and evaluate the future resource demand and circular economy potential for lithium-ion batteries and other promising battery technologies currently under development in collaboration with research groups in engineering and chemistry.
Your responsibilities:
- Conception, execution and analysis of Material Flow Analyses focusing on batteries and battery materials
- Modelling, simulation, and evaluation of resource demand under consideration of suitable technology scenarios for future battery technologies and applications
- Further development of the assessment of circular economy potentials in dynamic Material Flow Analysis
- Furthermore, an evaluation of the resources from Material Flow Analysis using the methods of Life Cycle Assessment and Raw Material Criticality Assessment
- Independent research on your PhD project
- Active participation in the graduate program of the Bavarian Center for Battery Technology (BayBatt)
- Publication of scientific articles and presentation of results on conferences in German and English
- Independent collaboration in research and industry projects
- Teaching participation through courses and theses supervision
Your profile:
- very good or good Master’s degree in engineering, natural sciences, or related field
- preferably a specialization in Circular Economy, recycling, resource efficiency, raw materials, or similar sustainability topics
- preferably knowledge on battery technology, battery materials or similar technologies
- preferably programming skills in python or a similar programming language
- independent work ethics, scientific rigor, systematic and analytic thinking, commitment, creativity, and ability to work in a team
- enjoyment of interdisciplinary cooperation and scientific discourse
- at least basic proficiency in the German language with the motivation to improve further
Our offer:
- We support your goal of obtaining a PhD in engineering through your independent engineering science work
- Your dissertation project is embedded in the structured graduate program of the Bavarian Center for Battery Technology (BayBatt)
- We support your scientific and personal development
- A salary and working hours in accordance with public salary scale TV-L E13
- The position is limited based on the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz and suits the support of scientific promotion (PhD). The duration of the contract is oriented based on legal and personal situation
The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is explicitly committed to the goal of gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the Best Practice Network "Familie in der Hochschule e.V.", and has successfully participated in the HRK audit "Internationalization of the University". Persons with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.
Please apply online with meaningful documents (including letter of motivation, summary of the Master’s thesis, curriculum vitae, and certificates) via the application portal of the University of Bayreuth using the keyword “ÖRT Batteries”. Application deadline is 30.12.2023. The documents will be deleted after the position has been filled, in accordance with data protection requirements.
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Helbig, Professor of Ecological Resource Technology (christoph.helbig@uni-bayreuth.de, +49(0)921/55-7540).