About this role
Welcome to USN The University of Southeastern Norway (USN) ranks as the country's fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees. Video: https://vimeo.com/898549899/60305e2540 About the position We are looking for a PhD research fellow within anode materials and anode-electrolyte interphase optimization for sodium ion battery. Are you interested in anode materials and anode-electrolyte interphase optimization for sodium ion battery, and want to engage in research with skilled colleagues who share your interests? Maybe you can become our new colleague at Department of Microsystems at Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences. The position is available from 03.08.2026. This is an educational position that is primarily intended to give promising researchers the opportunity to develop academically and professionally through organised research training. It is a condition that the person who accepts the position applies for and is granted admission to the Faculty’s doctoral programme in Technology within three months of starting in the position. The doctoral programme includes relevant courses corresponding to approximately six months of study, a thesis based on independent research, active participation in national and international research environments, relevant research dissemination, a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis. Read more about organised research training at USN on our website. The PhD research fellowship is for a fixed term of three years with pure organised research training. Your personnel manager will be head of department Marius Stian Tannum and your supervisor will be Associate Professor Pai Lu. It is a prerequisite that you live close by so that you can be present at, and available to, the academic environment at your workplace during ordinary working hours. The place of work will be at campus Vestfold. About the doctoral project The person appointed will be affiliated with the research project Improved Micro/Nano-Structured Carbons for Sodium Ion Battery, which is headed by Associate Professor Pai Lu. The research project focuses on developing highly performing carbon anode materials to advance the sodium ion battery technology: (1) Develop new processing protocols to convert the low-cost precursors to highly performing anode materials, in terms of improved specific capacity, initial Coulombic efficiency, cycling stability. (2) Optimize the anode-electrolyte interphase via e.g., electrolyte screening & modification, surface modification of carbon anode materials. The person appointed will be affiliated with the research group Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical Systems. Duties Complete the doctoral programme up to completion of the doctoral degree within the employment period. Conduct high-calibre research within the framework described above. Scholarly publications. Participate in the research group Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical Systems Participate in national and/or international activities such as conferences. Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after appointment. Qualifications All items are requirements, unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications. Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) (or equivalent qualifications) within Micro/Nanotechnology, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electronics or related fields. Strong background in electrochemistry and / or material science. Documented knowledge of relevant methodologies, both quantitative and/or qualitative, at master’s level. Weighted average grade of B or higher on the master’s degree and thesis. The master’s degree must be accomplished before application deadline. However, candidates finalizing their degree in the spring semester of 2026 may also apply. The master’s thesis must have been submitted for assessment before an interview is held for the position and approved before the decision to hire must be made. Excellent written and oral English language skills. Meet the formal requirements for admission to USN’s doctoral programmes and Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences’s doctoral programme in Technology no later than three months after starting in the position. Personal qualities In order to be able to complete a doctoral degree, you need to be able to: demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field. work independently, but also participate in teamwork. work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them. present and discuss your research with other academics. get involved and contribute constructively with feedback. work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity. show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject area. analyse data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions. be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary. have the academic skills and personal qualities to be able to complete the doctoral programme within the employment period. When assessing applications, particular importance will be attached to Formal qualifications. The scientific quality, research relevance and degree of innovation of the project. The relevance of the project to the profile of the doctoral programme. The personal qualities mentioned above. Language requirements Requirements for proficiency in English This position requires good English language skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests. Specific requirements regarding grades can be found on our webpage English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English at USN . TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT) IELTS – International English Language Testing Service Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in Englis