3.Postdoc Opening

Sustainable Energy Storage group at the department of Chemical and Materials Engineering is looking for 2 postdoctoral researchers (Postdoc). This Postdoc position will be engaged in developing nanocarbon derived from processed biomass and industrial wastes, exploring the application in various types of energy storage devices and probing the reaction mechanism using multiple in-situ techniques. Candidates with demonstrated expertise in following area are preferred:

1. Electrochemical nitrogen reduction;

2. DFT modeling for electrocatalysts and batteries;

3. Obtaining and interpreting synchrotron XAS and XRD data. Familiar with Athena, Artemis and Hephaestus software; 

4. Operating TEM or AFM for in situ experiments.

This position is available immediately. It has a term length of one year and possible extension of another year with comprehensive benefits package found at: www.hrs.ualberta.ca. With the restrictions in the pandemic, priority will be given to candidates with valid work permit/PR documents to work in Canada. Please send a cover letter and a CV with publications to Dr. Zhi Li. Short-listed candidates will be contacted.  

Research Environmental at University of Alberta

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta is a global leader in research and education. The exceptional experimental and computational facilities available to our researchers include a comprehensive set of analytical and characterization facilities such as the nanoFAB (Fabrication & Characterization Facility) and one of the most technologically advanced nanotechnology facilities in the world – the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT).  

Responsibilities include: 

• Setting research program objectives in energy storage (involved in the planning of future research)

• Designing research projects, experiments, data collection protocols, and standards 

• Contributing to the discovery of novel electrode materials and subsequent development of electrochemical devices. 

• Writing research papers and presents research results on international conferences. 

• Preparing proposals for new research activities, including assisting in the preparation of research grant applications and contract proposals. 

Qualifications: 

• PhD in chemistry, materials, or related field, with 0-2 years post-doctoral research experience in electrochemistry.

• Strong record of scholarship/research indicated by patents and research papers published on top-tier journals.

• Considerable knowledge of the development of nanomaterials materials, especially carbon-based materials and composites; and interactions of these materials with each other and reactions under various conditions with specific interests in the area of electrochemical devices, such as lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitor.

• Considerable knowledge of the physical and chemical principles underlying materials properties, phase equilibria, room-temperature solid-state chemistry, thermodynamics, and the experimental techniques and methodologies associated with these areas.

• Extensive hands-on experience in electron microscope, helium-ion microscope, and AFM.

• Good knowledge and good skill and understanding to provide novel solutions to electrochemical issues from other areas of materials research, oxides, composites, and electrochemical interfaces.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and considerable interpersonal skills