In April 2021, TU Delft launched an extensive Climate Action Programme, focusing not only on additional investments in research and education but also improving the sustainability of the TU Delft campus. For the next ten years TU Delft will allocate 22 million euro to set up and further shape this extensive programme. The TU Delft vision on Climate Action is deeply founded in preceding decades of university wide climate action research. The goal of the Climate Action research programme is to build on current strengths and identify the areas where there is a need to strengthen our capacities to keep up our (inter)national reputation as climate action university. 

Materials for circular renewable energy technologies

The current transition towards using renewable energy implies a transition towards the increased demand of different raw materials as well. How can we supply sufficient materials for solar panels, batteries, electrolyzers, etc., when we want to scale renewable energy technologies such that we keep below 1.5 degrees warming and reach a CO2 neutral society by 2050?  In this framework, the Assistant Professor we would like to welcome, aims at contributing to the emerging Circular Economy concepts. The focus will be on generic-use products and devices that are by-design closed loop and eventually recyclable and drive the energy transition (e.g., photovoltaic modules, power electronics, battery banks, etc.) by slowing and diversifying the supply of materials.

Four relevant interdisciplinary topics regarding this position are:

1. Reducing the demand of primary critical materials for the energy transition and renewable energy technologies;
2. Increasing transparency of (critical) materials value chain;
3. Enhancing the closed loop and eventual recycling of renewable energy systems and technologies by applying CE strategies;
4. Improving resource recovery technology towards lower energy consumption, product life extension and less waste.

You will be hosted in the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices group (Faculty of EEMCS), and will collaborate with other tenure trackers in the Climate Action programme, and across faculties, for example via TU Delft’s Urban Energy Institute, e-Refinery Institute and Circularity hub, having expertise on energy conversion, photovoltaics, batteries, critical materials and circular economy. You will develop a research line for increasing the circularity in technologies for the energy transition, in the context of the topic Circularity and Recovery of critical materials and resources.  

As a tenure tracker, you will inspire your colleagues and students through research and education, both in courses (existing and to be developed) and educational projects. You are expected to acquire funding for new projects from different national and international funding schemes and contribute to organisational tasks and valorisation of your research work.

• A PhD degree in Electrical engineering, Energy Technology, Chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field;
• Knowledge and proven experience with electrical or electrochemical energy technologies;
• An excellent academic track record, reflected by publications in the leading international journals, is required;
• Knowledge about circular economy and/or material science, including methods to assess this, is considered an advantage;
• You have an open personality and good communication and networking skills. Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration is considered an advantage;
• Experience in teaching energy-related courses and mentoring students is considered an advantage. 

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future. If you currently are an Assistant Professor, we also accept your application for this role as an Associate Professor.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication for assistant professor: € 3.807 - € 5.922). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school

Delft University of Technology

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.