Professor Jian Liu is seeking applications for two Ph.D. student vacancies in the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus. The candidates are expected to play major roles in materials and process development for lithium-sulfur batteries and graphite recycling.
Ph.D. #1: Lithium-sulfur batteries
This research will focus on the cathode (S and TexSy) and solid electrolyte structure design for solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, mechanism studies using advanced characterization, and demonstration of the battery chemistry in coin and pouch cells (up to 2 Ah).
Ph.D. #2: Graphite recycling
This research direction will emphasize recycling process optimization of graphite anodes from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, physical and chemical characterizations of the graphite materials at different stages, and electrochemical evaluation of the recycled graphite in new lithium-ion batteries. The Ph.D. candidate will work closely with other teams in life cycle assessment and simulation in the UBC Battery Innovation Cluster and with a local battery manufacturing company to demonstrate the recycled graphite in 18650 cylindrical cells.
Key Requirement
- Have completed a relevant MASc in materials science, electrochemistry, or chemistry
- Excellent English proficiency
- Fulfillment of all UBC Okanagan’s graduate admission requirements (https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/programs-admissions/grad/)
- Be highly motivated, organized, a good communicator (written and verbal), and passionate about battery research
- Thrive in a team environment and mentoring/team-building role
- Have a strong desire to conduct transformational research in collaboration with the industry
- Previous research experience in battery materials is an asset
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize new processes, materials, and chemistries for the battery systems
- Deliver clear and concise written and oral presentations of data, analysis, and internal/external reports. Prepare manuscripts for publications and present the work at international conferences
- Communicate with the industrial partners regularly to update progress, receive guidance on new assignments, make preliminary selections on technical alternatives, and independently complete recurring assignments.
How to Apply
All applicants must provide the following information in a single pdf document to Jian.liu@ubc.ca or in the application form below:
- Detailed CV
- Transcripts and English certificates (if applicable)
- Contract information for three references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Due to the anticipated number of applications to be received, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted (within ~ 1 month).
Application
Candidates with exceptional experience in the above directions are welcome to send Dr. Liu their CVs with their qualifications (should mention medium of instruction) and research interests. Applications are assessed and interviewed on a rolling basis. Students from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities, are welcome to apply.
Resources for prospective students and postdoctoral fellows
- Student awards and scholarships opportunities at UBC-O (undergraduate, graduate, and international students)
- NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s (CGS D) program (Master’s)
- NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral Program (PGS D) program (Ph.D.)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (Ph.D.)
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) program (international visiting students and doctoral scholars) – kindly contact Dr. Liu directly to support your application, and refer to CSC – UBC Doctoral Scholarships for academic and language requirements.
- Mitacs program (undergrads, graduate, doctoral, and international visiting students)
- About UBC Okanagan Campus and School of Engineering (SoE)
- About Kelowna, BC
Frequently Asked Questions about Graduate or PDF Applications
First of all, let me sincerely thank everyone for taking the time to prepare your application and send me an email. I assure you that your application is well received and assessed.
I have wanted to add this section to my website for a long time to give all applicants information about graduate position applications in my group, especially for those not receiving my responses. I am providing answers to questions frequently asked by the applicants below or clarifications on some potential questions I think you might have as a graduating student looking for new opportunities. These are my opinions and apply to those applying for my research group only.
1. Do I need to send the supervisor reminder about my previous email/application in case his/she misses my emails?
No.
2. What do I expect after sending the application to the supervisor?
For graduate students, you would expect a response in one week for follow-up questions or setting up interviews if the supervisor sees a fit of your profile into our ongoing projects. If you receive no responses in one week, please move on with your application and life. No need to send me a reminder email. I usually assess the applicant’s profile when checking my email every day.
3. Why haven’t I gotten any responses from the potential supervisor?
Due to the large volume of emails received for graduate applications every week (like many of my colleagues), the supervisor only sends responses to those possibly fitting into the existing research projects.
4. What should I write in my email to the supervisor?
I strongly suggest the applicants review our recent publications to develop some levels of understanding of our ongoing research and indicate 1) what are your technical strengths, 2) how your experience might contribute to our research, and/or 3) research ideas/directions you want to pursue if joining my group. It is better to tailor your email and application to the group you are applying for to better articulate and market yourself instead of sending the generic email to every professor in the department or in the fields across universities.
5. Do you accept self-funded graduate students?
No. All of our students are either offered full scholarships at UBCO or have secured external scholarships from various sources, such as CSC, NSERC, etc.
6. Is there a specific deadline for a graduate position application?
We are recruiting top-mind and highly-motivated students on a rolling basis; hence, no deadline.