PhD in Ionic Thermoelectrics and Electrochemistry for Thermal Energy Harvesting, Linköping University (ERC HEAT-BRIDGE)

Job Description

Linköping University is hiring a PhD student in ionic thermoelectrics and electrochemistry for its ERC Starting Grant project HEAT-BRIDGE, which develops new ways to turn low-grade waste heat into electricity, supervised by Asst. Prof. Nara Kim at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics in Norrköping (reference LiU-2026-03808).

At a glance

• Position: Doctoral student (salaried employment), full time
• Where: Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping, Sweden
• Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Nara Kim
• Pay: Starting salary SEK 35,300 a month, revised yearly and at 30% and 60% completion
• Duration: Normally four years full time; up to five with teaching
• Start: February–March 2027, or by agreement
• Apply: 9 November 2026

About the HEAT-BRIDGE ionic thermoelectrics PhD

• Develop and characterise quasi-solid-state ionic thermoelectric materials, including polymer-based gel electrolytes
• Study ion–polymer interactions, ionic transport and thermoelectric properties
• Select and electrochemically characterise redox-active materials for thermal energy conversion
• Build these materials into soft, deformable energy-harvesting devices and optimise their performance
• Help scale up multi-cell devices and test them with realistic low-grade heat sources; publish and present the results

The project is one of two doctoral positions in HEAT-BRIDGE, and applicants may apply for only one of them. The second focuses on mixed ionic–electronic materials. Teaching or other departmental duties can take up to 20% of the time.

Why this role matters

Much waste heat is at temperatures below 100 °C, where conventional thermoelectrics perform poorly. Ionic thermoelectrics can give far larger voltages from small temperature differences, so they are a promising route to self-powered sensors and wearables. The PhD combines electrochemistry, soft materials and device work, a skill set that also transfers to battery research.

What Linköping University is looking for

• A Master’s degree in chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or a related field, or 240 credits including 60 advanced credits relevant to the post, or equivalent knowledge
• A strong academic background in one of these disciplines
• Knowledge of electrochemistry and electrochemical materials or devices
• Hands-on experience with materials preparation and/or electrochemical characterisation
• Good spoken and written English

Nice to have

• Polymer electrolytes, hydrogels, ionogels or eutectogels
• Redox chemistry, batteries or redox-flow batteries
• Ion transport in soft materials; cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy
• Ionic thermoelectrics or thermal energy harvesting; flexible device fabrication

Pay and location

The starting salary for PhD students is currently SEK 35,300 a month. It is revised every October and rises when the student reaches 30% and 60% of the doctoral studies. Employment begins with a one-year contract, renewed for up to two years at a time depending on progress. Benefits include at least 28 days of paid leave and an employer-paid pension. No nationality restriction is stated.

How to apply

Apply through the official Linköping University page. The closing date is 9 November 2026. Apply with the “Apply” button on the vacancy page. Send a letter of application with a statement of purpose, a CV (education, research experience and languages), degree certificates and transcripts, a copy or draft of your Master’s thesis, and contact details for two referees.

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