Selection Procedures
Institute of Physics of the CAS announces an open competition in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Statutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a position PhD Student in Aqueous Dual-Ion Batteries.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD candidate eager to advance materials synthesis and energy storage technologies for the next generation of aqueous dual-ion batteries.
Join the Nanoscale Materials and Systems (NMS) group at FZU and contribute to the development of cutting-edge battery technologies.
You will play a key role in developing carbon-based cathode materials and designing novel aqueous electrolytes for next-generation aqueous dual-ion batteries. Your research will combine materials synthesis, electrolyte formulation, and electrochemical characterisation to understand how the unique properties of carbon-based nanomaterials and electrolyte compositions influence battery performance. Through this work, you will help advance innovative and sustainable energy storage solutions and address key challenges facing the future of the energy storage industry.
What you will do
- Conduct interdisciplinary research on aqueous dual-ion batteries, combining materials science, electrochemistry, physics, and engineering
- Fabricate and optimise graphene- and graphite-based cathode materials, including 3D graphene structures, and develop aqueous electrolytes for dual-ion batteries
- Assemble, test, and characterise aqueous dual-ion battery cells and evaluate their electrochemical performance
- Analyse cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and electrochemical processes using XPS, XRD, Raman, FTIR, electrochemical methods, and other relevant spectroscopic techniques
- Foster collaboration and communication with other international partners, group members, students, and FZU staff
- Analyse experimental data, operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and implement new characterisation techniques and experimental protocols
- Collaborate with international research partners, group members, students, and FZU staff in an interdisciplinary research environment
- Prepare scientific publications and present research findings at international conferences and scientific meetings
What we expect
- Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, or an equivalent combination of related education and relevant experience
- Theoretical and experimental background in electrochemical batteries, nanomaterials and electrochemistry
- Previous experience with aqueous or dual-ion batteries, electrochemical characterisation, electrode fabrication, and electrochemical cell assembly is beneficial, particularly involving graphene, expanded graphite, or other carbon-based electrode materials
- Ability to conduct independent research, develop ideas, and progress a research project
- Creative thinking, careful experimental practice, and proactive problem-solving
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of researchers and students
- Willingness to learn, share knowledge, and engage with international research
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- Good knowledge of English (written and spoken)
Why join us
- An opportunity to work on cutting-edge research into aqueous dual-ion batteries and sustainable energy-storage materials
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including electrochemical characterisation setups, battery testers, impedance spectroscopy, in-situ and operando Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and advanced electron microscopy facilities (SEM and TEM), and equipment for carbon nanomaterial synthesis, processing, and electrode fabrication.
- A competitive salary
- Participation in multidisciplinary scientific projects
- Working in an international team and a stimulating environment
- Training and development (seminars, workshops, conferences, high-quality language courses, soft skills training)
- Support of your work-life balance – flexible work hours, work from home, extended vacations
- In-house tennis/volleyball courts, table tennis
- And many more benefits such as a Multisport card, meal allowance, kindergarten operated by the Czech Academy of Sciences
It´s good to know
- Place of work: Cukrovarnická, Prague 6 – Střešovice
- Start of employment 1st June 2027
- Full-time
- 1-year contract (possible extension up to 4 years upon mutual agreement)
- We expect applications by: 30th November 2026
Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending the following documents via the application form: A cover letter detailing career objectives and research interests, a curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications, two reference letters and transcripts of degrees/diplomas.
For additional information, please get in touch with Dr. Jiri Cervenka (cervenka@fzu.cz).
We look forward to hearing from you!
Application deadline: 11/30/2026