PhD Candidate in Bio-graphene via catalytic graphitization for Li-S

School of Industrial Engineering and Management at KTH

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Materials Science and Engineering

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy-storage systems, offering a very high theoretical specific energy of 2,600 Wh kg?¹ while relying on sulfur, an abundant and low-cost element.

This PhD project aims to develop and validate a scalable and sustainable process for converting biochar into high-performance three-dimensional bio-graphene for Li-S battery applications. By combining Fe-catalyzed graphitization, molten-salt templating, and controlled tuning of residual iron species, the resulting materials will exhibit high electrical conductivity, hierarchical porosity, and tailored polar active sites. These features are expected 6 (9) to enable high sulfur utilization, lean-electrolyte operation, and long-term cycling stability in Li-S cells.

The project will be carried out within a dynamic international research environment at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in close collaboration with industrial partners through national innovation programs. The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories for catalysis, materials synthesis, and advanced characterization, and will work closely with experienced researchers specializing in bio-graphene and battery applications.

Supervision: Docent Weihong Yang and Professor Pär Jönsson are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master’s degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge.
• Experience in carbon materials synthesis and processing, including catalytic graphitization and/or templating approaches, is required.
• Good English communication skills, both written and spoken, are also necessary in the daily work.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.
• We are looking for a strongly motivated person with a genuine interest in research and innovation. Good communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are required to publish and present results at international conferences and in scientific journals.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years’ time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement . Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) Sweden .

Union representatives

Contact information for  union representatives.

Doctoral Students’network (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for  doctoral section .

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH’s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above) . Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified .
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant’s consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

 

 

Join us at KTH
KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

Learn more about our benefits and what it’s like to work and grow at KTH

Apply here
Type of employment

Temporary position

Contract type

Full time

Full-time equivalent

100%

First day of employment

According to agreement

Salary

Monthly salary according to KTH’s doctoral student salary agreement

Number of positions

1

Location

Stockholm

County

Stockholms län

Country

Sweden

Reference number

PA-2026-0572

Published

12.Mar.2026

Last application date

02.Apr.2026

Contact

Weihong Yang
weihongkth.se