PhD Data Analysis & Simulation - LLM‑Supported Data Analysis for Battery Testing Data (all genders)

Who We Are

Our mission has started. We are starting our own battery cell production in Battery Valley in Salzgitter and ramping up our headquarters for global cell production. The CTO organization takes care of the battery cell development. Our responsibility includes research, predevelopment of materials and components, series development, prototyping, testing and analysis of battery cells.

Your Role And Key Responsibilities

Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming human-computer interaction. Their application in data‑analysis workflows holds tremendous potential, yet remains under‑explored. This PhD dissertation will investigate how LLMs can be efficiently integrated into daily engineering and development processes.

The Overall Objective Of The PhD Thesis Will Be

• How can an LLM‑based “battery expert” be trained so that its knowledge becomes effectively accessible to engineers in battery development?

Depending on your interests, the dissertation may address questions such as:

• Which architectural or adaptation patterns (Knowledge Graphs, RAG, Agents, Fine‑Tuning) are most effective in method development?
• How can the quality of LLM‑generated analyses be evaluated (e.g., hallucination detection)?
• How can LLM decision‑making be better understood, monitored, and controlled?

What You Bring To The Team

• Completed university degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, or a comparable field
• Strong knowledge of Python, SQL, Spark, or similar technologies
• Initial hands‑on experience with Large Language Models and their applications
• Foundational understanding of data‑analysis techniques and statistical evaluation methods
• Enthusiasm for working with large datasets
• High level of initiative, independence, and willingness to learn
• Structured work style and strong analytical thinkingExcellent teamwork and communication skills in interdisciplinary and international environments
• Business‑fluent English skills
• Strong interest in practical AI applications within battery‑cell development

What Makes You Stand Out

• German language skills are an advantage
• High level of creativity and pioneering spirit
• Hands‑on mentality

What To Look Forward To

• Three-year doctoral program in which the doctoral students work on internal tasks of PowerCo in addition to their doctorate
• 35-hour week, flexible working hours
• 30 days paid vacation + 24.12. & 31.12. off
• Interdisciplinary qualification opportunities
• Regular feedback meetings and close technical supervision in the department
• Opportunity for scientific exchange with other doctoral students of the Volkswagen Group