At the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the University of Groningen, We are looking for a talented and motivated PhD candidate in the field of Solid Oxide Cells as part of the HyUSE project (HyUSE - Groenvermogen (groenvermogennl.org - https://groenvermogennl.org/en/project/4785/ )) of the National Growthfund GroenvermogenNL. The position is on accelerated stress testing of SOFCs for truck operating conditions and optically assisted accelerated stress testing methods are expected to be developed. The candidate is expected work at Groningen University and will closely collaborate with the TU Delft research group working on Accelerated Stress testing of SOFCs for shipping applications. The team is expected to collaborate with the maritime research institute MARIN as well. As a Ph.D. candidate you will thus focus on accelerated stress testing for understanding the life span expectations of solid oxide fuel cells under real-life conditions.

Responsibilities and tasks

- Development of accelerated testing methods for testing SOFCs for trucking conditions.
- Development of optically supported Accelerated stress testing methods.
- Numerical and analytical cell performance modeling.
- Cell level Accelerated Stress Testing.
- Short stack level Accelerated Stress Testing.

Organization
The University of Groningen has an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, we are truly an international place of knowledge.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering harbours a kaleidoscope of disciplines and research strengths. Our programmes in research and education range from nanomaterials and biomachinery to astronomy, from mathematics to pharmacy, from neurosciences to computer science, and from molecular and evolutionary biology to marine biology.

The position will be embedded in the Energy & Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). This institute is comprised of six base units, with activities ranging from science and engineering to societal applications. ESRIG research is highly multidisciplinary in nature and focuses on fundamental sciences, engineering sciences and social sciences for the development of new and innovative products, processes and societal interventions. This position will be embedded in the Energy Conversion section within ESRIG. The Energy conversion group currently consists of a Full Professor, three Senior Scientists, a lab engineer/technician and several PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows. Research within the Energy Conversion group is focused on the development of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, renewable fuels and integrated energy systems. Research activities span from electrochemistry to system thermodynamics.

We are looking for a motivated and skilled researcher with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related disciplines. You have a strong background in Physical Chemistry and can preferably show relevant experience in optical/laser measurements and/or electrochemical measurements. The successful candidate should have a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and shows analytic skills as common within the top 10% of the reference group. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year, based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE).
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% year-end bonus.
- A position for four years; you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
- A university PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidates will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

Dr. ir. A.A van den Meer
a.a.van.der.meer@rug.nl

Prof. dr. PV Aravind
a.purushothaman.vellayani@rug.nl

dr. A.V. Mokhov, Senior Lecturer
a.v.mokhov@rug.nl