PhD student in Mixed Ionic–Electronic Materials for Thermal Energy Harvesting

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Reference number LiU-2026-03809

We are now looking to appoint a PhD student in Mixed Ionic–Electronic Materials for Thermal Energy Harvesting, placed at the Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping.

Research area

The present position is part of the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project “High-Efficiency Thermal Energy Harvesting via Ionic Thermoelectric–Electronic Bridging (HEAT-BRIDGE)”, which seeks to establish new routes for efficient conversion of low-grade heat into electricity.

Low-grade heat is abundant in our surroundings—from the human body and electronics to industrial processes—yet remains difficult to harvest efficiently with existing technologies. HEAT-BRIDGE addresses this challenge by bringing together ionic thermoelectrics, electrochemistry, mixed ionic–electronic materials, and soft electronics to explore new approaches to thermal energy conversion. The project spans fundamental materials and transport phenomena, advanced functional materials, and deformable energy-harvesting devices.

The successful candidate will focus on mixed ionic–electronic conducting (MIEC) materials and their integration into soft electrochemical devices for next-generation thermal energy harvesting.

We are announcing two doctoral positions within the HEAT-BRIDGE project, but you may apply for only one of the two positions.

Your work assignments

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

• Development and characterization of soft MIEC materials.
• Development and characterization of functional separator materials.
• Investigation of electronic and ionic transport and structure–property relationships in functional materials.
• Integration of developed materials into soft and deformable thermal energy-harvesting devices.
• Characterization and optimization of the electrical, electrochemical, mechanical, and energy-conversion performance of materials and devices.
• Fabrication and validation of multi-cell devices under representative low-grade heat sources and realistic operating conditions.
• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, publication of results in scientific journals, presentation at international conferences, and collaboration with national and international research partners.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in Physics, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, or another field relevant to the project, or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses relevant to the position. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

• A strong academic background in physics, materials science, applied physics, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of electronic and/or ionic transport in functional materials.
• Hands-on experience with experimental materials preparation, device fabrication, and/or physical characterization
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English (all research activities at LOE are conducted in English).

Meritorious research experience

• Mixed ionic–electronic conductors, conducting polymers, carbon-based materials, or other functional electronic materials.
• Polymer composites, functional soft materials, membranes, separators, or other materials for electrochemical devices.
• Electrical and ionic transport characterization in functional materials.
• Structural and morphological characterization techniques, such as electron microscopy, X-ray-based techniques, or related methods.
• Thermoelectric materials and devices, or thermal energy harvesting.
• Fabrication and characterization of flexible, soft, or deformable electronic or electrochemical devices.

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with a strong interest in functional materials, charge transport, and energy conversion. The project explores a new and challenging device concept, and therefore requires creativity, persistence, and strong problem-solving abilities.

The successful candidate should be able to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with researchers from different scientific backgrounds. Good communication skills and a willingness to explore research questions across traditional disciplinary boundaries are important.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

Your workplace

The PhD student will work under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Nara Kim at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), Linköping University.

Nara Kim’s research focuses on mixed ionic–electronic conductors, thermoelectrics, electrochemical energy devices, and wearable electronics, spanning fundamental materials and charge transport to device development and integration. She has secured major competitive research funding, including an ERC Starting Grant, grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR), and the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE).

The Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University is a vibrant, international, and collaborative research environment comprising over 170 researchers and doctoral students across 13 research groups. Research at LOE spans materials synthesis and chemistry, theory and modelling, fundamental materials physics, and device development, with applications in energy, printed electronics, photonics, and bioelectronics. A strong common theme is materials for sustainable technologies. LOE provides state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis, characterization, device fabrication, cleanroom processing, printing, and additive manufacturing. LOE maintains close collaboration with the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and has extensive national and international collaborations with academia and industry.

For more information, please visit:

• Nara Kim (Google Scholar)
• Laboratory of Organic Electronics
• Linköping University
• Information about Norrköping
• A Beginner’s Guide to Swedish Academia (Young Academy of Sweden)

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.

Starting date: February-March 2027 or by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression. The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression. The starting salary for our PhD students is SEK 35,300 per month. This level will be increased during this year's annual salary review in October. As a PhD student, your salary also increases after completing 30% and 60% of your doctoral studies

As an employee of Linköping University, you are entitled to the following benefits:

• Paid vacation (at least 28 working days per year, depending on age)
• Paid maternity / paternity leave (up to 390 days per child)
• Accrued pension. During your work time in Sweden, you accrue income pension, paid by the employer, which is payable also if you leave Sweden

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University

More information on the Swedish health-care system and social insurance benefits system.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than October 30, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Letter of application, including a statement of purpose
• CV, including details of education, research experience and language skills
• Degree crtificates, transcripts, a copy (or draft) of your master´s thesis
• List of publications
• Contact details of two refences
• Copy of passport

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities. We look forward to receiving your application! Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.

Contact persons

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