Husam N. Alshareef

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher in battery safety within the Alshareef Group in the Physical Science and Engineering Division. The position is centered on understanding and improving the safety of lithium-ion and next-generation batteries , with particular emphasis on thermal runaway , predictive diagnostics, mitigation strategies, and safety performance from the cell level up to modules and packs. The successful candidate will join a research environment that combines experimental battery safety characterization with multiscale computational modeling . The role includes designing and performing abuse and stability studies using tools and methods such as ARC, DSC, overcharge testing, and mechanical abuse tests; building and validating electrochemical-thermal-mechanical models; and analyzing coupled failure mechanisms including heat generation, gas evolution, internal shorting, and structural degradation. The project also explores data-driven and model-based frameworks for battery management systems, early fault detection, health monitoring, safety-oriented control, thermal management, fire suppression, and propagation-mitigation strategies. This is a strong fit for researchers with backgrounds in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrochemistry, or applied physics . Applicants should have hands-on battery safety or battery-focused simulation experience, strong coding skills, and a publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Candidates who can bridge experimental and computational approaches are especially encouraged to apply. The compensation package is attractive and includes a competitive tax-free salary , free on-campus housing , comprehensive health insurance , and 22 days of annual vacation , plus additional benefits. Applications must be submitted via Interfolio ; applicants are explicitly instructed not to send CVs by email or LinkedIn. The posting notes that candidates whose research background does not align with the advertised position may be disqualified, and only selected candidates will be contacted. KAUST is located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia , near Jeddah, and is described as an internationally diverse university with world-class equipment, research facilities, and computational resources. The project is led by Prof. Husam N. Alshareef , whose group focuses on advanced functional materials for energy and electronic devices operating under demanding real-world conditions.