Doctoral student in Battery Recycling

Chalmers seeks a highly motivated PhD student for an EU Horizon-funded project on sustainable battery materials processing and recycling (REF 2026-0421), contributing to a circular battery value chain and resource security.

About us

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering covers fundamental chemistry through materials science, renewable energy, chemical engineering, material recycling, nuclear chemistry, theory and modelling. Energy and materials research advances materials and processes for the energy transition, including recycling of critical metals, often in industry-cofinanced and EU-funded collaborations.

About the research project

The Doctoral student joins the European Horizon project ReBel, which develops sustainable, feedstock-flexible, low-emission, near-zero-waste refining technologies for critical battery materials.

Research focuses on extraction and recovery of critical raw materials from lithium-ion battery black mass using supercritical CO₂ technologies, targeting strategic elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, phosphorus, and graphite. Work combines experimental process development, materials characterization, chemical process simulation, and collaboration with European academic and industrial partners.

Who we are looking for

Mandatory: Master's (masterexamen 120 / magisterexamen 60 credits; 4-year Bachelor's outside Sweden accepted) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering or related; strong English; experimental lab and materials characterization knowledge; ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary international teams.

Strengthening: interest in sustainable processing/recycling; high-pressure systems; hydrometallurgy; battery materials and recycling; supercritical fluids; XRD, SEM, or related characterization.

What you will do

• Advanced courses in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering graduate schools
• Develop scientific concepts and communicate results
• Teaching or other duties typically ~20% of working hours
• Develop/optimize extraction processes; lab-scale experiments; characterization; publish and report within the EU Horizon consortium

Contract terms

• Fully funded from start
• Fixed-term four years; teaching up to 20% may extend the position
• Starting salary 35,725 SEK per month (valid from 1 May 2026)
• Physical presence required; valid residence permit by study start

Application procedure

English PDF application via the official Chalmers vacancy page: CV, personal letter, Bachelor's and if available master's thesis and research papers with transcripts. Deadline: 18 October 2026. Contact: Burçak Ebin.

Mandatory

• Master's degree (masterexamen 120 credits or magisterexamen 60 credits) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering or a related field (4-year Bachelor's accepted for education earned outside Sweden)
• Strong written and verbal English
• Knowledge of experimental laboratory work and materials characterization techniques
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary and international environments
• Cultural awareness and strong interpersonal/cooperation skills

Strengthening

• Strong interest in sustainable materials processing, recycling, chemical technologies, and circular solutions
• Experience with high-pressure systems; hydrometallurgy or extractive metallurgy; battery materials and recycling; supercritical fluid technologies
• Elemental analysis, XRD, SEM, or related characterization techniques