PhD student on the development of porous electrodes for water electrolyzers

PhD student on the development of porous electrodes for water electrolyzers

Do you want to combat climate change? Are you fascinated by electrochemistry and materials science? Do you want to work in a multidisciplinary team? Would you like to help produce clean hydrogen?

Position

PhD-student

Irène Curie Fellowship

No

Department(s)

Chemical Engineering and Chemistry

FTE

1,0

Date off

01/10/2023

Reference number

V37.6841

Job description

We are looking for a motivated PhD student to design, synthesize and test novel porous electrode materials in alkaline water electrolyzers. Alkaline water electrolysis is a promising technology to produce hydrogen using renewable electricity and water, but suffers from high costs which challenge their widespread implementation. At the core of the electrochemical stack, the porous electrodes are critical components as they manage complex flows (liquid water and generated gas bubbles), provide catalytic surfaces for reactions, and conduct electrons and heat. Developing electrode materials that can sustain these requirements will lower the costs of hydrogen production and accelerate the energy transition.

In this project, you will investigate the role of the electrode structure (porosity, pore size) as well as surface properties. Based on this fundamental knowledge, you shall conceptualize new electrode architectures and manufacture them using scalable methods. The developed electrode materials will be characterized using microscopy, spectroscopy, and fluid dynamic measurements. Finally, the developed materials will be implemented and tested in alkaline water electrolyzers in our laboratories at the TU/e and by industrial partners.

Job requirements

A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related disciplines.

We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher. Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.

You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a prerequisite.

We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.

An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a highly motivated team at a dynamic and ambitious University. The TU/e is located in one of the smartest regions of the world en part of the European technology hotspot ‘Brainport Eindhoven'; well-known because of many high-tech industries and start-ups. A place to be for talented scientists! n addition, we offer you:

Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.

Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).

A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.

High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self- aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.

An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.

An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.

A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

Candidates possessing both suitable experience and qualifications are invited to apply.

For information about this Ph.D. position, please contact Dr. Antoni Forner- Cuenca (e-mail: a.forner.cuencaattue.nl , phone: +31 40 247 6258).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Ms. P.J. van de Weijer (Sandra), HR-advisor, p.j.v.d.weijerattue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it's like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

The PhD student will work in the Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory, which is part of the Membrane Materials and Processes chair. Further information about the Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory, see www. fornercuencaresearch.com. More information about the chair on Membrane Materials and Processes can be found at www. tue.nl/mmp and more information about Eindhoven University of Technology and the department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry is available at www. tue.nl. We anticipate close collaboration with the Physical Chemistry group (https: // www. tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/physical-chemistry/) to acquire a deeper theoretical understanding of phase separation.

Applications

Please send your application via the apply-now button and upload the following documents:

A motivation letter.

A curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references).

A list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.

Review of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled. You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 2MB each. Only applications that are submitted in this way are taken into account.

Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory

The Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory is led by dr. Forner- Cuenca (www. fornercuencaresearch.com). We aim to accelerate the deployment of transformative energy technologies in the real world. To do so, we employ fundamental principles at the convergence of materials science, electrochemical engineering, and surface science to synthesize, characterize, simulate, and implement novel materials into next-generation electrochemical devices. Areas of application include large-scale energy storage with flow batteries, energy conversion through hydrogen fuel cell, and sustainable manufacturing with electrolysis.

Membrane Materials and Processes at Eindhoven University of Technology

The chair Membrane Materials and Processes (www. tue.nl/mmp) at the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology (www. tue.nl) focuses on the design and development of polymer membranes and porous electrodes to control mass transport in sustainable processes. The chair combines and integrates materials chemistry, electrochemical engineering, and process technology. Application areas are water and energy, with a strong focus on the recovery and reuse of resources, the valorization of waste streams and energy efficiency. ‘Closing cycles' and ‘value from waste' are leading themes in the research program. Next to fundamental academic research, application-oriented research in close collaboration with the industry is stimulated.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.