POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER POSITION AT IMDEA ENERGÍA TO WORK ON “HIGH-THROUGHPUT ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND INTERPHASE DESIGN IN SI/GRAPHITE LI-ION BATTERIES”

Postdoctoral Researcher Position at IMDEA Energía to work on “High-Throughput Electrochemical Characterization and Interphase Design in Si/Graphite Li-ion Batteries”

• Offer list
• 26.60 EQ6 POD
  
  

Application Form Deadline: Oct 7th, 2026

IMDEA Energy Institute is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence dedicated to conducting research and development (R&D) in the fields of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, while fostering strong partnerships with leading companies in the energy sector (www.energy.imdea.org).

Description

IMDEA Energy is opening a Postdoctoral Researcher Position for the Electrochemical Processes Unit looking for talented and motivated candidates, to join the regional MADBAT-CM consortium. The successful candidate will work on battery-grade electrolyte formulation, electrode–electrolyte interphases (SEI/CEI), and advanced high-throughput electrochemical characterization, with particular emphasis on Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) and Scanning Droplet Cell (SDC) methodologies. The research will focus on Li-ion cells pairing polymer-based redox cathodes with graphite/Si–graphite anodes. It will encompass electrolyte formulation and screening, quantitative interphase analysis, and validation in coin- and pouch-cell prototypes.

Tasks Description

The requirements are as follows:

• Formulate and screen electrolyte systems (solvents, lithium salts, and additives) compatible with polymer cathodes and graphite/Si–graphite anodes; define SEI-formation protocols and electrochemical operating windows.
• Install and commission the high-throughput Scanning Droplet Cell (SDC) system and take responsibility for its operation, upgrades, and routine maintenance.
• Map electrolyte–cathode compatibility and reaction kinetics using high-throughput SDC methodologies.
• Develop standard operating procedures and data-analysis pipelines for SDC workflows.
• Quantify SEI/CEI formation and evolution using CV, GCD, EIS, GITT, and dQ/dV analysis.
• Contribute to operando and in situ characterization (e.g., FTIR, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy) to establish structure–property–performance relationships.
• Fabricate electrodes (buckypapers and cast films); assemble three-electrode half-cells and two-electrode full cells in coin and pouch formats; and benchmark key performance indicators under controlled temperatures and standardized protocols.
• Perform electrochemical testing and parameter extraction—including diffusion coefficients, charge-transfer kinetics, and transport numbers—to support cell-scale models.
• Participate in project meetings and present the main research results.
• Disseminate results through high-impact scientific journals and conferences and, where appropriate, contribute to intellectual-property protection and technology-transfer activities.
• Contribute to research-proposal writing and the supervision or mentoring of undergraduate and Master's students.
• Co-supervise doctoral and visiting researchers working on related topics.
  
  

Requirements

Compulsory Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Experience in electrolyte formulation and additive design aimed at SEI/CEI stabilization.
• Hands-on experience in high-throughput electrochemistry (e.g., SDC or micro-reference-electrode workflows).
  
  

Other Merits To Value

• Experience with battery electrode materials and coin- and pouch-cell assembly.
• Experience with operando and in situ techniques (SECM, FTIR, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy).
• Hands-on experience in electrochemical data analysis, including EIS fitting and parameter extraction.
• A publication track record in high-throughput electrochemistry.
• Participation in European research projects.
• Experience in scientific writing.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
  
  

Selection Criteria

• Adequacy of the candidate's training and experience to the requested profile.
• Work experience related to the profile of the job position.
• Knowledge of English.
• Motivation for accomplishing high-quality research.
  
  

Conditions

• Remuneration: Between 40.000€ – 44.000€ per year, depending upon qualification and expertise.
• The contract includes all the benefits of the Spanish Public Health and Social Security System.
• Contract: Until the end of the project - December 31, 2028
  
  

Workplace

IMDEA Energía, Móstoles, Madrid

Documents

• PhD Certificate
• Motivation Letter
  
  

Final decisions will be personally communicated by e-mail to all candidates.

Equal opportunities are guaranteed in the selection process, without any forms of discrimination. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to favor parity in employment.

IMDEA Energy commitment is to guarantee equality in measures to balance personal, family and working life and to promote gender equality.