Postdoc Researcher – Electrochemical purification of lithium from industrial

Lithium is a critical raw material essential to battery technologies powering the global energy transition. However, during the refining process for battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, an estimated 40–70% of the lithium extracted from ore is lost in wastewater streams. Addressing this inefficiency is vital to building a more sustainable and circular lithium economy.

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher to join a collaborative project between Dr. Xiaohua Li at the University of Groningen and our industrial partner IonIQs. The focus of this project is the development of advanced electrochemical purification methods to recover lithium from industrial wastewater.

In this project, the postdoctoral researcher will focus on the fundamental understanding and process optimization of an electrochemical cell system incorporating redox-flow electrodes and ion-selective membranes for Lithium purification. The goal is to selectively remove impurities—such as sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)—from lithium-rich wastewater streams, thereby enabling the recovery of high-purity, battery-grade lithium.

The project will be supervised by academic PIs at the University of Groningen and the industrial partner, ensuring strong mentorship and research guidance. The research will be conducted mainly at the IonIQs laboratory on the Zernike Campus of the University of Groningen, offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface of academic research and industrial innovation.
This project offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to a sustainable and circular lithium economy by integrating materials science, electrochemistry, and membrane technology.

Organisation
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an excellent international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programs and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research institutions in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global center of knowledge, situated in the vibrant city of Groningen in the north of The Netherlands.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

- A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, electrochemistry, or related fields.
- Solid knowledge and demonstrated skills in one of the following areas: coordination chemistry, electrodialysis, capacitive deionization, fuel cells, or redox flow batteries.
- A strong background in ion transport, membrane processes, and (electro)chemical characterization is highly desirable.
- Experience on the analytical instruments of Raman microscopy, SEM, XPS, XRF, ICP-OES would be a plus.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

The University of Groningen offers you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

- Depending on qualifications and work experience, a salary of € 4,060 to a maximum of € 5,331 (salary scale 10) gross per month for a full-time position after obtaining PhD.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.

A temporary contract of 0.8 FTE for 12 months.

Preferred start date: 1 September 2025

Kathryn Knight
k.l.knight@rug.nl