Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), Aqueous Binder Development and Aqueous Processing of Ni-rich Cathode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) position in the field of Aqueous Binder Development and Aqueous Processing of Ni-rich Cathode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries at the Department of Technical Physics on the Kuopio campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term of three years as from 1 April 2026 (or as agreed).

Please find more information below and submit your application by 23 February 2026.

Role and salary

We are seeking a motivated Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) to join a research project which will involve comprehensive research on the development and fundamental understanding of advanced aqueous-based binders, and their integration into aqueous processing routes for Ni-rich cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The overall aim is to enable high-performance lithium-ion battery cathodes while improving the sustainability of battery manufacturing and end-of-life processing.

The research combines fundamental mechanistic studies and performance-oriented investigation. Experimental work integrates materials chemistry, formulation, and interfacial analysis with electrochemical characterization, supported by advanced characterization techniques, to elucidate structure–processing–performance relationships in aqueous-processed Ni-rich cathodes incorporating the developed binders.

The Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) will develop novel aqueous binders to be integrated into aqueous processing routes for Ni-rich cathode materials. The central objective is to elucidate how binder chemistry, formulation, and binder–cathode material interactions govern slurry stability, electrode integrity, interfacial chemistry, and electrochemical performance, as well as binder-enabled material recovery.

As our new Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), your responsibilities will include

• conducting material and binder design, comprehensive characterization, electrode fabrication, electrochemical measurements, including the evaluation of material recovery where relevant
• performing high-quality research and disseminating results through high-impact publications and presentations at conferences, and other project-related dissemination activities
• collaborating with colleagues within the university, industry partners, and other research partners through shared materials, data exchange, and joint analysis.

The main duty of the Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) is to conduct research for their doctoral dissertation and to complete postgraduate studies.

The position will be filled for a fixed term of three years as from 1 April 2026 (or as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to the Doctoral Researcher’s (PhD Student’s) own doctoral dissertation work and studies. A trial period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. For a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), the job-related salary element is based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff depending on the stage of the applicant's doctoral research and postgraduate studies. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. At the beginning of the employment the total salary will be approximately EUR 2,650 – 2,785 /month.

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements

• eligibility for postgraduate studies; i.e., holding a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, material science and engineering, electrochemistry or a related field, awarded by a university or by a university of applied sciences, or having completed an applicable study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding postgraduate education
• meeting the student admission criteria for the LUMETO doctoral programme (Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology, website)
• a good command of written and spoken English
• ability to work independently as well as within a research team, with strong collaborative skills
• extensive hands-on experience in various material characterization techniques, strong analytical skills, including experience with data analysis tools and techniques.

Applicants who do not yet have the right to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Eastern Finland are not required to apply for study rights at the application stage. If the applicant is selected for the position and applies for postgraduate study rights, the selection will be conditional until the right to pursue postgraduate studies in the faculty’s doctoral programme has been granted. The application for postgraduate study rights is submitted through the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service.

The following will be considered an advantage

• previous research experience in rechargeable batteries, including electrode materials (e.g., Ni-rich cathode materials), electrode fabrication, or electrochemical performance evaluation, etc.
• experience with aqueous binders, polymer-based materials, or biomass-derived materials, preferably in battery-related or electrochemical applications
• hands-on experience in material synthesis or modification, structural and interfacial characterization and battery assembly
• familiarity with sustainability-oriented electrode or materials design, including consideration of material recovery or end-of-life aspects in battery systems
• experience with advanced characterization methods, such as advanced electron microscopes, thermo-analytical methods, various spectroscopic techniques (e.g., FTIR, XPS) and X-ray-based techniques.

Your benefits

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including

• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• extensive occupational health care
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
• affordable sports services

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

You will have an opportunity to work in a meaningful role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.

How to apply?

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 23 February 2026 by 23:59 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+2).

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application:

• a CV (Template for CV, TENK website)
• a list of publications (Instructions, Research Council of Finland website)
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
• a transcript of records
• a motivation letter (max. 1 page) in which you outline motivation for the position and research project, relevant academic/research background, and career aspirations
• other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position

If your degree certificate is not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, you must provide official English translations of your degree certificate documents. All translations must be issued by the awarding educational institution or an authorized translator. Each page of the official translation must bear the translator's stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be accurate translations of the original documents. Translations made by the applicants themselves will not be accepted.

Questions?

For further information on the position, please contact Associate Professor Haidong Liu, email: haidong.liu@uef.fi, tel. +358 50 328 2749.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen, e-mail: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, tel.: +358 29 445 8161 or HR Specialist Noora Hämäläinen, e-mail: noora.hamalainen@uef.fi, tel.: +358 29 445 8302.

Haemme väitöskirjatutkijaa Itä-Suomen yliopistolle. Tehtävä sijoittuu luonnontieteiden, metsätieteiden ja tekniikan tiedekuntaan teknillisen fysiikan laitokselle Kuopion kampukselle. Tehtävä alkaa 1.4.2026  (tai sopimuksen mukaan) ja se täytetään kolmen vuoden määräajaksi. Tehtävässä tehtäväkohtainen palkanosa on vaativuustasoluokittelussa tasoilla 2–4. Lisäksi maksetaan henkilökohtaiseen suoriutumiseen perustuvaa palkanosaa, joka on 6–50 % tehtäväkohtaisesta palkanosasta. Tehtävässä edellytetään hyvää englannin kielen taitoa.​

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta. Jätäthän hakemuksesi englanniksi. Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 23.2.2026.