Postdoctoral / Li-ion Batteries H/F

Born out of the desire to meet the economic, political and social challenges of Morocco and Africa, the International University of Rabat (UIR) is a public university with private management under contract with the Moroccan State. Founded in 2010, it has established itself as a major player in higher education and research, in line with the best international standards. With more than 8,500 students, UIR offers multidisciplinary training covering engineering, architecture, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, and management. It also develops a significant continuing education offering. Research is a major strategic axis, illustrated by more than 540 patents filed, including 100 internationally, positioning UIR as a leader in Morocco and Africa (source OMPIC).

The Laboratory of Renewable Energies and Advanced Materials (LERMA) develops research activities around the design of materials, structures and intelligent systems for energy, automotive and aeronautical applications. It brings together researchers from several UIR engineering schools (AERO, AUTO, ESIE, ESIN).

This postdoctoral position aims to strengthen the battery research activity within LERMA. The project will focus on Li-ion batteries, with particular emphasis on multiphysics coupling between thermal, electrical and electrochemical/thermochemical phenomena. The main challenge is to develop predictive models directly confronted with experimental measurements, in order to assess heat generation, efficiency, degradation and battery durability.

The overall objective is to develop and validate a multiphysics modelling framework for Li-ion batteries, from the cell scale towards small battery modules, able to predict voltage, state of charge (SoC), heat generation and temperature evolution under different charge/discharge rates, ambient temperatures and operating profiles.

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research work dedicated to advanced Li-ion battery systems. Their work will focus in particular on multiphysics coupling, parameter identification and experimental validation under various operating environments.

Priority Research Axes

• Electro-thermal modelling: development of coupled models, from enhanced equivalent-circuit models to more physics-based approaches such as simplified SPM/P2D models or finite-element models, accounting for irreversible losses, entropic heat, SoC-temperature-C-rate dependent parameters and, where relevant, ageing indicators.
• Experimental characterization: definition and implementation of protocols on Li-ion cells, especially LFP 18650/26650 cells or other available formats, using a battery cycler, climatic chamber, thermocouples/IR measurements, and OCV, pulse, charge/discharge tests at different C-rates and repeated cycling conditions.
• Parameter identification and validation: inverse identification of electrical and thermal parameters, comparison between model predictions and measurements for voltage and surface temperature, sensitivity/uncertainty analysis, and development of a reduced-order model suitable for thermal sizing or battery management applications.
• Application-oriented extension: preparation of the transition from cell to module scale, definition of thermal and energy performance indicators for lifetime and state-of-health (SoH) assessment, and possible contribution to an experimental digital twin for batteries under controlled operating conditions.

Research

• Conduct an original research program on Li-ion battery systems coupled with thermal and electrochemical aspects.
• Produce scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (at least one high-impact international publication).
• Participate in national and international conferences to disseminate results.
• Contribute to the laboratory's collaborative research projects and support future projects or PhD theses.
• Develop analysis and optimization models (validated and documented multiphysics numerical models).

Valorisation and Laboratory Activities

• Participate in the development of research projects (national and international) and contribute to interactions with industrial partners.
• Participate in the supervision of students (masters, doctoral candidates) on battery modelling and characterization aspects.
• Valorise research results (reports, workshops, technology transfers), particularly through the creation of a voltage-current-temperature-SoC database and the formalization of a design procedure to guide experimental protocols for thermoelectric characterization.
• Contribute to pedagogical activities related to energy/storage themes if required.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in mechanics, heat transfer, energy engineering, applied electrochemistry, electrical engineering or materials science (preferably obtained within the last 5 years).
• Specialization in energy storage systems, particularly Li-ion batteries.
• Strong skills in numerical modelling, parameter identification and scientific programming.
• Proficiency in French and English (written/oral)

Desirable Skills

• Proven experience with simulation software such as COMSOL/ANSYS and/or MATLAB/Python.
• Strong experimental awareness, including instrumentation, temperature measurements, battery cycling and uncertainty analysis.
• Ability to critically compare models with experimental measurements.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience in collaboration with industrial partners is appreciated.

Position Conditions

• Post-doctoral contract: UIR Contract
• Remuneration: according to profile and UIR salary scales.
• Access to LERMA research infrastructures (cycling benches, climatic chambers, etc.).
• Participation in a dynamic and interdisciplinary research ecosystem.
• Opportunities for national and international collaborations.

Application File Composition

• Detailed CV
• Complete list of publications
• PhD manuscript

Submission of Applications

Applications must be sent to the following contacts before July 15, 2026:

• Prof. AHZI Said (said.ahzi@uir.ac.ma)
• Prof. EL MAAKOUL Anas (anas.elmaakoul@uir.ac.ma)
• M. LAGHRISSI Oussama (oussama.laghrissi@uir.ac.ma)