Deakin-Bayreuth Cotutelle – Exploring sodium-ion battery electrode architectures

This is a doctoral cotutelle project between Deakin University (Australia) and the University of Bayreuth (Germany).

The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Deakin University with the supervision team being drawn from Deakin University and University of Bayreuth. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Deakin University and one from University of Bayreuth, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The program is for a duration of 3 years and scheduled to commence upon enrolment of the suitable candidate.

The PhD Student is anticipated to spend at least 12 months of the total period of the program at University of Bayreuth, with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

This project seeks to explore sodium-ion battery electrode architectures incorporating novel functional binder formulations  

Sodium-ion batteries are becoming an increasingly popularised lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries, however electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries are less developed than the lithium-based counterparts. Ionic liquid electrolytes developed at Deakin are a new electrolyte class that offers superior safety than conventional flammable and volatile electrolytes. Solid-state ceramic electrolytes developed at Bayreuth have enormous potential in overcoming some of the limitations faced with lithium-based ceramics.

This project will seek to develop the most advantageous combinations of electrolyte and binder through engineering the electrode structures. Targeted polymer binders will include those based on the non-fluorinated poly(dimethyldiallylammonium) ionomer and naturally occurring polymers such as carrageenan, alginate, and carboxymethyl cellulose.

Electrode composite structures will also be investigated, focusing mostly on using well-studied active materials such as hard carbon anodes and sodium vanadium phosphate (or fluorophosphate) cathodes available in Bayreuth.

The project will move from the small lab scale through to full demonstrator prototype devices, offering a unique opportunity to gain a deep understanding across all aspects of device development.

Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed

This scholarship is supported by Deakin University, is available over 3 years and includes:

• Stipend of $35,500 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)
• International students only:  Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
• Full Tuition Fee Waiver for up to 4 years
• Travel allowance (approx. $3,000) to support travel of PhD Student between Deakin University and University of Bayreuth

To be eligible you must:

• be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and University of Bayreuth, including H1 or H1 equivalence and English language proficiency criteria.
• be enrolling full-time
• be able to physically locate to both University of Bayreuth (Germany) and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and University of Bayreuth's research entry criteria page for further information.