Chalmers University of Technology
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PhD in circular battery materials: recovered phosphorus to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
The doctoral student position is fully funded from the start. It is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, extending the position up to five years. Starting salary is 35,725 SEK per month (valid from May 1, 2026).
Deadline
Nov 8, 2026
Country
Sweden
University
Chalmers University of Technology

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About this position
Doctoral student in circular battery materials: LFP from recovered phosphorus at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.
This PhD project focuses on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials made from phosphorus recovered from municipal wastewater. The research sits at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science, with strong emphasis on waste-derived feedstocks, hydrometallurgical purification, powder synthesis, particle engineering, and battery testing.
You will join Daniel Weber’s research group in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, with co-supervision from Martina Petranikova’s hydrometallurgy group. The project involves synthesizing LFP from recovered and commercial phosphorus sources, characterizing impurities and intermediates, and linking material properties to electrochemical performance. Techniques mentioned include calcination, milling, hydrogen or carbothermal reduction, carbon coating, XRD with Rietveld refinement, ICP, XRF, TOC, CHNS, Raman/IR, TGA-DSC, particle size analysis, electron microscopy, and coin-cell assembly/testing.
The project is part of the PHOS4CELL initiative and is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency within the program Sustainable battery value chain. It is described as a fully funded doctoral position with a four-year contract, extendable to five years if teaching duties up to 20% are included. The starting salary is 35,725 SEK/month.
Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, or a closely related field; strong English; hands-on materials chemistry lab experience; ability to plan and run experiments independently; good documentation and collaboration skills. Helpful extras include experience with phosphate or battery cathode synthesis, Fe(III) reduction, powder XRD/Rietveld refinement, particle engineering, Swedish, industry collaboration, and Matlab/Python.
How to apply: submit the application online in English as PDF files. Include a CV, a personal letter, and your Master’s thesis with transcripts. Applications by email or incomplete applications will be rejected. Deadline: 2026-11-08.
Funding details
The doctoral student position is fully funded from the start. It is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, extending the position up to five years. Starting salary is 35,725 SEK per month (valid from May 1, 2026).
What's required
Applicants must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master's degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy or a closely related field. Strong written and verbal English skills are required. Candidates should have documented hands-on experience from a materials chemistry laboratory, including inorganic powder synthesis and/or hydrometallurgical processing of materials, and be able to independently plan and conduct laboratory experiments, solve experimental problems, and keep accurate systematic documentation. Good communication and collaboration skills are required, along with a curious and analytical approach. Preferred experience includes solid-state or wet-chemical synthesis of inorganic functional materials, especially phosphates, iron compounds or battery cathode materials; reduction of Fe(III) under hydrogen or carbothermal conditions; powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement; particle size and morphology control; Swedish language proficiency; industry experience; and Matlab/Python or similar data analysis skills.
How to apply
Apply online through the Chalmers vacancy/application form and submit the application in English as PDF files. Include a CV, a personal letter, and your Master's thesis together with transcripts. Do not apply by email; incomplete applications will be disqualified.
More information can be found here
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