Postdoctoral Position in Battery Safety King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is offering a postdoctoral position in battery safety within the Alshareef Group (Functional Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory) in the Physical Science and Engineering Division. The project sits at the intersection of battery safety, thermal management, and computational modeling, with a strong emphasis on understanding failure mechanisms and improving safety across the cell, module, and pack levels.

The successful candidate will work on lithium-ion and next-generation batteries, with research centered on thermal runaway, predictive diagnostics, and mitigation strategies. The role combines rigorous experimental characterization with multiscale simulation. On the experimental side, the researcher will design and perform safety and abuse-tolerance studies using tools such as ARC, DSC, overcharge, nail penetration, mechanical abuse testing, and related evaluation methods. On the modeling side, the position involves developing and validating electrochemical-thermal-mechanical models to simulate normal and failure behavior, including thermal runaway initiation and propagation.

Additional research topics include coupled failure mechanisms such as heat generation, gas evolution, internal shorting, and structural degradation; model-based and data-driven battery management system frameworks for health monitoring, early fault detection, and safety-oriented control; and thermal management, fire suppression, and propagation-mitigation strategies for safer battery module and pack design.

The position is hosted by Prof. Husam N. Alshareef, whose group focuses on advanced functional materials for energy and electronic devices designed for reliable performance under demanding conditions. KAUST is a globally diverse research university located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, near Jeddah and the Red Sea. The university offers world-class research infrastructure, computational resources, and a highly international campus environment.

The compensation package includes a competitive, tax-free salary, free on-campus housing, comprehensive health insurance, 22 days of annual vacation, and additional benefits. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Applied Physics, or a related discipline, and should have strong hands-on experience in battery safety characterization or battery-focused simulation, plus coding and publication experience.

Applications must be submitted via Interfolio. The posting instructs candidates not to email their CV to the professor or use LinkedIn for application submission. Only applicants whose research background aligns closely with the advertised position will be considered.