PhD stipend in Digitalization of recycling line for spent batteries from electric vehicles

PhD stipend in Digitalization of recycling line for spent batteries from electric vehicles

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production, a PhD stipend is available within the doctoral programme Materials Science, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. The stipend is open for appointment from 01.07.2025 or soon thereafter. The duration of the position is 3 years. Department of Materials and Production (MP) is a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding, materials' applications in mechanical constructions, industrial production, and management. The department has several strong, international, and innovative research groups which comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applicable research. The activities encompass research as well as education within materials, mechanics, physics, production technique, and industrial management and innovation. The selected candidate will become a part of the research group “Center for Industrial Production”.

Jobbeskrivelse
The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) from electric vehicles (EVs) becomes an urgent problem for the green transition. However, today, most European countries abandon the hydrometallurgical recycling approach, as it is not economically viable due to the high labor cost. Instead, a pyrometallurgical recycling approach is widely adopted, but this approach often leads to serious environmental problems. If manual labor can be partly replaced by digital technologies, the more environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical recycling approach is expected to be promoted in Europe. Thus, the focus of the PhD project is to develop a methodology to digitalize the recycling line of spent LIBs from EVs for a large-scale application, while integrating existing research. Specifically, the project will address four challenges towards the first several steps in LIB recycling process (i.e., collection, diagnosing, sorting, and disassembly):

• Information asymmetry between different stakeholders in the LIB recycling process;
• Non-standard battery design;
• No clear guidance about the development of battery passport;
• Highly manual battery recycling process, especially in terms of sorting, disassembling, and material separation.

• Good understandings on production processes and rich experience on programming;
• Ability to work independently and collaborate cross-culturally, which requires solid communication skills;
• Excellent English writing and speaking skills to accommodate scientific work and dissemination purposes;
• Promising academic records, well trained skills on applying scientific research methods.

We offer
The candidate filling this position will be employed by Aalborg University and be part of the research group Center for Industrial Production in Aalborg. Additionally, we offer:

• Multi-disciplinary and international environment at AAU and the Center for Industrial Production group
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities incl. a fully equipped Smart Production lab.
• A chance to see your research being brought into practice
• Strong engagement with Industry

Application Procedure
The applicant should provide the following documents:

• A research proposal addressing the main issue of this project
• A motivation letter;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Copies of diplomas(master degree in relevant majors);
• Scientific qualifications: transcripts, publications if there are any, awards, etc.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position, e.g. references/recommendation letters, other documents the applicant wants to be considered.

You may obtain further information from Associate Professor, Yang Cheng, Department of Material and Production, Phone: 99407103,Email: [email protected] concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.
When the hiring process is completed, a final rejection will be sent to the applicants who are not considered for the position.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Helle S. Thomsen, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: [email protected]

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science: www.phd.engineering.aau.dk

The application is only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Løn og ansættelsesvilkår
Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

Ansøgningsfrist
2025-04-07

Ref. nummer
915-25018