Summary
KTH Royal Institute of Technology is seeking a qualified Postdoctoral Fellow to join the School of Engineering Sciences within the framework of the Swedish battery initiative COMPEL. The project focuses on developing a micromechanical modelling framework that resolves solid-state battery (SSB) cells at the scale of particles and interfaces, linking mechanical state to electrochemical performance.
Key Information Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Institution | KTH Royal Institute of Technology |
| School / Department | School of Engineering Sciences (SCI), Department of Engineering Mechanics |
| Designation | Postdoctoral Fellow (Postdoc) |
| Position Type | Full-time (100%), Temporary (up to 2 years) |
| Reference Number | PA-2026-2607 |
| Start Date | 2026-10-01 or according to agreement |
| Salary | Monthly salary |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Application Deadline | August 29, 2026 (Midnight CET/CEST) |
| Contacts | • Artem Kulachenko (artem@kth.se)• Dan Zenkert ( danz@kth.se)• Malin Åkermo ( akermo@kth.se) |
Research Area
- Solid-State Lithium Batteries (SSB)
- Micromechanical Modelling & Fracture Mechanics
- Contact Mechanics & Interface Debonding
- Coupled Electro-Chemo-Mechanics & Multiphysics Simulation
Location
- City: Stockholm
- County: Stockholms län
- Country: Sweden
Eligibility & Qualifications
Mandatory Requirements
- Doctoral Degree: A PhD or equivalent foreign degree in Solid Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a related field (must be completed by the time the employment decision is made), with experience in batteries or battery materials.
- Language Skills: Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Technical Skills: Strong computational and numerical modelling skills, including finite element analysis (FEA), multiphysics simulations, and scientific programming.
- Values: Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues, particularly gender equality.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD degree obtained within the last 3 years prior to the application deadline.
- Hands-on experience in coupled electro-chemo-mechanical or phase-field fracture modelling.
- Experience in micromechanics of particulate/composite materials, mechanical characterisation, and X-ray tomography.
- Programming proficiency in Python, C++, or Fortran.
- Strong collaborative and independent research abilities.
Job Description
As part of the Swedish governmental battery initiative COMPEL, this 2-year postdoc project titled “Micromechanical modelling and mechanical characterisation of contact, interfaces and fracture in solid-state battery cells” aims to:
- Develop a micromechanical modelling framework resolving solid-state cells at particle and interface scales.
- Account for interface debonding, fracture, and particle fragmentation that reshape conducting contact networks during ion insertion/extraction swelling cycles.
- Validate numerical models against experimental data from the COMPEL consortium.
- Establish design and operating maps, including safe low-pressure operating windows for solid-state cells.
- Contribute to structural and mechanical characterisation of materials developed across COMPEL sub-projects.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the KTH recruitment system (Varbi).
Required Application Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detail your relevant academic, technical, and professional experience.
- Diplomas & Transcripts: Copies of degree certificates and official grades (with English/Swedish translations if not originally issued in a Western European language).
- Motivation Letter: A maximum 1-page summary explaining your research interests, motivations, and alignment with future goals.
- References: Contact details of references or letters of recommendation.
- Application Portal: Apply on KTH Varbi System
Last Date for Apply
- Deadline: August 29, 2026 at 23:59 (Midnight) CET/CEST
