[Neutron] Joint Postdoc position at SyMMES (CEA-IRIG) and ILL (18 months + 18 months) (Grenoble, France).

[suard]

Joint Postdoc position at SyMMES (CEA-IRIG) and ILL (18 months + 18 
months) (Grenoble, France).

Context/Project

All-solid-state batteries have been presented as the ideal solution to 
address i) the safety limitations of conventional Li-ion batteries by 
suppressing the flammable organic electrolytes and ii) the problem of 
insufficient energy densities. To date, two types of solid Li-ion 
electrolytes have been mainly studied, namely, sulfur-based and 
ceramic-based materials. As they are easy to process and they offer a 
high lithium-ion conductivity in the range of 1-12 mS/cm [1,2], 
sulfide-based electrolytes such as e.g. thio-LISICONs and argyrodites 
are therefore regarded as suitable candidates to be used in lithium 
all-solid-state batteries.
Despite the progress in the development of superionic conductor, many 
aspects regarding their chemical and mechanical issues remain unsolved 
especially during electrochemical activities where the electrolyte is 
heavily decomposed [3]. If the electrode engineering i.e. composite 
electrode (mixture of electroactive material, conductive agent and solid 
electrolyte) is under intense investigation, the role of the solid 
electrolyte pellet (i.e. separator) is so far poorly studied. As an 
example, if the sintering (even cold sintering) is not properly 
performed, the Li-ion conduction will not be optimal that could create 
kinetics problem, as well as if voids appear in the solid electrolyte 
pellet, it will lower the ionic conductivity and the voids could then 
evolve and propagate into cracks during electrochemical cycling.
In a joint ANR project between LEPMI, CEA-IRIG and ILL in Grenoble, CEA 
and ILL are looking for a joint postdoctoral researcher to work on the 
advanced characterisations of solid-state batteries using thiosulfates 
solid electrolyte to correlate structural and morphological information. 
We are proposing an in depth (operando and postmortem) multiscale 
investigation of the parameter controlling the “shaping” of commercial 
based solid electrolytes and its consequence on the electrochemical 
activity. Information from bulk to surface analysis using 
electrochemical (EIS, CV, etc.) X-rays (XRD, XAS, micro and nano-XRT, 
FIB-SEM, etc.) and neutron-based techniques (NPD, etc.) will be used to 
reveal the relationship between shaping and electrochemical performance. 
The results obtained here should serve as a preliminary basis to develop 
better solid-state batteries using sulfide-based electrolyte.

Applicant profile
The applicant should hold a PhD degree in Material Science, Chemistry, 
Physics or related field. Knowledge in electrochemistry and batteries is 
required. The postdoctoral researcher will work in close collaboration 
with a PhD student also hired for this project.

Application
To apply to this position please send your CV and cover letter to Dr. 
Sandrine Lyonnard (CEA-IRIG-SyMMES), Dr. Emmanuelle Suard (ILL), Dr. 
Claire Villevieille (LEPMI).

More details and email addresses : 
https://www.symmes.fr/en/Pages/Jobs/2021_Postdoc_Step_01.aspx