PhD Position - Advancement of the integrated battery-electrolyser for renewable electricity storage and conversion to hydrogen

The integrated nickel-iron battery and alkaline electrolyser is meant for storage of renewable electricity and when full generates hydrogen and oxygen if there is still surplus electricity available [1-3]. In this way it can play a role in the future energy system, providing short term battery storage and long term storage in the form of hydrogen. The cadidate will work on a number of aspects of the battolyser that are relevant for the energy density, efficiency and materials use in the hart of the electrochemical cells. These will include modified materials and future electrode concepts, where the performance, scientific understanding, design optimisation and the manufacturability of the electrodes at scale are important.

 

[1] Mulder et al. Energy Environ. Sci., 10 (2017) 756

[2] Weninger et al. ACS energy letters 4 (2019) 567

[3] Iranzo et al. Mater. Adv. 2 (2021) 5076

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• An MSc in chemical engineering, applied physics or similar.
• Able to work independently and as part of a greater team. Contributes to the social well-being and culture of the research group.
• A demonstrated record of an academic mindset illustrating critical thinking. For example through thesis or internship work.
• A pro-active and creative mind-set.
• Experience in doing experiments with electrochemical systems is considered a plus.
• Fluent in English.
• Starting date planned for 12/2023 or early 2024.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

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