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Sodium-ion batteries for electrification of society: Cradle to grave

Funded PhD position in Chemical and Materials Engineering

Last updated: August 5, 2025, 11:49 a.m.

Supervisory details

SupervisorMarc-Antoni Goulet
Department: Chemical and Materials Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
University: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada 
Start date: Winter 2026 (January), Summer 2026 (May) 
PhD Fellowship: 35K CAD per year for 4 years 

Project overview

This project advances sodium-ion batteries as a safer, low-cost, and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. It addresses technical, environmental, and social barriers through four focus areas: enhancing cell performance, optimizing pack design, developing scalable recycling methods, and assessing sustainability using circularity and equity frameworks. Led by a multidisciplinary team, the project aims to support policymakers, industry, and communities in adopting sodium-ion batteries as a clean, resilient, and equitable energy storage solution for Canada’s electrification and decarbonization goals.

Role description

Task A: Impurity Removal from Black Mass

  • Design and execute acid leaching and electrochemical methods for selective metal extraction from black mass 
  • Compare hydrometallurgical vs. electrochemical pathways for removing impurities such as Pb, Al, and Co 
  • Optimize conditions for efficiency, selectivity, and environmental impact of each extraction process 
  • Conduct experiments with both synthetic mixtures and real-world black mass samples from recycled batteries 
  • Analyze how different electro/chemical parameters influence impurity removal outcomes 
  • Build a framework for evaluating material separation trade-offs in battery recycling 
  • Contribute to the development of cleaner and safer recycling routes for sodium-ion battery materials 

Task B: Process Optimization and Scale-Up Evaluation

  • Develop and test continuous flow electrochemical processes for black mass purification 
  • Model and simulate slurry-based electrochemical systems to evaluate flow, conductivity, and separation efficiency 
  • Design and optimize electrochemical flow cells for target-specific impurity removal 
  • Conduct pilot-scale experiments to assess scalability of continuous black mass purification 
  • Investigate multi-stage purification routes for various metal contaminants in mixed battery chemistries 
  • Apply flow battery and slurry handling principles to electrochemical recycling of sodium-ion battery components 
  • Generate design guidelines for industrial-scale purification systems using conductive slurry suspensions 

Research areas

  • Flow batteries
  • Fuel cells
  • Electrosynthesis
  • Electrochemical sensors
  • Electrochemistry fundamentals

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, electrochemistry, or a closely related field 
  • Experience with electrochemical processes, metal recovery, or hydrometallurgy 
  • Strong hands-on skills in laboratory electrochemistry or materials processing 
  • Proficiency in tools such as potentiostats, chemical reactors, and analytical techniques (ICP, XRD, SEM, etc.) 
  • Demonstrated experimental experience with electrochemical flow cells (fuel cells, flow batteries, electrosynthesis reactors, etc) or with metal ion batteries is a strong asset 
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; comfort working with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English 

  • Fully funded PhD positions with a competitive annual stipend and additional funding for conference travel, publishing, and industry collaboration 
  • The opportunity to work on a nationally significant project focused on developing scalable, low-impact recycling processes for sodium-ion batteries 
  • Hands-on training in advanced electrochemical methods, hydrometallurgical processes, and continuous flow electrochemical systems 
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for electrochemical testing, materials characterization (ICP, SEM, XRD, XPS), and pilot-scale experiments 
  • A unique chance to contribute to the development of cleaner, safer, and circular battery technologies for Canada’s electrification goals 
  • Structured mentorship from Professor Goulet and his team, with opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and present at top international conferences 
  • A dynamic and supportive research environment at Concordia University in Montreal, a recognized leader in electrochemical research and sustainability innovation 

Please combine the following documents into a single PDF file. 

  • Letter of intent strongly aligned with the project and the research domain of the professor  
  • Academic CV 
  • Transcripts 
  • Names and contact information of 3 referees 
  • Publications if any 
  • Any other documents that might benefit your file 

If you are already in Canada, or if you’re a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, please highlight this in your communications. 

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Questions/contact

For all questions, please contact Alisa Makusheva at alisa.makusheva@concordia.ca.

Get in touch with the Volt-Age team

volt-age@concordia.ca

Volt-Age is funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

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