FUSE (Faraday Undergraduate Summer Experience) Placement 2022

Project title: Spatially-resolved characterisation of Ni-rich cathode materials with X-ray spectroscopy techniques

Project description:

X-ray imaging-based techniques have been recognised as powerful tools to investigate the properties of materials used in battery systems. The obtained data can provide information regarding the chemical composition, electronic structure and morphology of battery materials; these can be used to elucidate mechanisms behind capacity fade in Ni-rich LiNi_xMn_yCo_1-x-yO₂ (NMC) cathodes. This project will focus on the application of X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques to investigate ex situ chemical heterogeneities occurring inside these cathode materials at high resolution, using projection mapping and tomography-based techniques. In addition, the NMC cathode materials will be tested using two different in situ cell configurations, specifically pouch cell and an X-ray transmission cell recently designed at the I14 beamline.

Essential Criteria

• Applicants should be studying for a degree in either Chemistry, Materials Science or Physics.
• Applicants should be familiar with performing scientific experiments involving the use of chemicals. (Most applicants that are studying the relevant degree subjects will have this experience)

Desirable Criteria

• It is highly desirable for the applicant to have studied at least one undergraduate module related to: electrochemistry, solid-state chemistry, spectroscopy.

Additional activities

During the FUSE internship you will be able to attend Faraday Masterclasses and cohort

events which will focus on a variety of topics to further develop your understanding of career opportunities in battery sector.  At the end of the programme, you will be invited to

to share a poster about your work and prizes will be awarded. In addition, being based at Diamond Light Source you will have an opportunity to join the cohort of Diamond Light Source Summer Placement students.

Supervisor: Paul Quinn, Dorota Matras

University: Diamond Light Source

Location: in-person

Start date: The internship is a full-time role for 8 weeks, starting date 27 June 2022

Eligibility:

• Be registered full-time undergraduate student from a UK university.

• Undertake the internship within the years of their undergraduate study (i.e., not in final year or during a subsequent Masters’ programme).

• Not have been a FUSE intern in a previous year

Funding:

A salary of £9.90 / hour. The funding is provided by the Faraday Institution.  

Applications for this placement are now closed.

Please note that all applications for this placement need to be completed electronically within our e-recruitment platform. If you have a disability which means that you cannot complete the application within the e-recruitment platform or require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please email diamond.students@diamond.ac.uk and include ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ in the title of your email.

If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.

Please note that this role does not meet the required skill level for a Skilled Worker visa and therefore we would be unable to sponsor individuals due to the current UK Home Office immigration rules. To be appointed to the role, candidates will need to have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from us.

Diversity

The Faraday Institution is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse pool of talent for the fields of battery technology and energy storage.

Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as at March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.

If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.

Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation), we have also achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze award and Disability Confident Level Two.