Job description
Sustainable ammonia production is an important challenge in the transition towards a climate-neutral chemical industry. Conventional ammonia synthesis is highly energy intensive and relies predominantly on fossil-derived hydrogen. Electrochemical routes offer the possibility to produce ammonia using renewable electricity while enabling new, decentralized production concepts.
This PhD project will focus on the development of advanced materials, electrodes, and membrane-electrode assemblies for high-temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis using solid oxide and protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (SOC and PCC technologies). The research will address the electrochemical conversion of nitrogen- and NOx-containing streams towards NH3.
The project will combine catalyst and electrode development with ceramic-cell fabrication, electrochemical testing, product analysis, and advanced materials characterization. Different catalyst integration strategies, including infiltration and exsolution, will be investigated to improve activity, selectivity, and long-term stability. Particular attention will be given to electrode–electrolyte interfaces, reaction mechanisms, and degradation under realistic operating conditions.
This PhD position is part of HyNITROGEN (https://groenvermogennl.org/en/nieuws/e20-3-million-for-hynitrogen-consortium-research-into-sustainable-nitrogen-chemistry) a large national research program within GroenvermogenNL that brings together more than 40 academic and industrial partners to develop sustainable production routes for ammonia and other nitrogen-based chemicals using renewable hydrogen and green electricity.
Requirements
About the group
The work will be carried out in the Catalytic and Electrochemical Processes for Energy Applications (CEPEA) group at DIFFER. The research of the group focuses on electrochemical membrane reactors for sustainable fuel production and the electrification of the chemical industry. Our activities span the full chain from functional materials and electrodes to membrane-electrode assemblies and laboratory-scale electrochemical reactors, with the overarching goal of developing scalable technologies.
Responsibilities and tasks
The research is highly interdisciplinary and combines materials science, catalysis, electrochemistry, and ceramic electrochemical-cell engineering. The successful candidate will contribute to:
- Development and evaluation of catalytic electrodes for high-temperature electrochemical ammonia synthesis.
- Fabrication, assembly, and testing of SOEC/SOFC and/or PCEC/PCFC cells.
- Integration of electrocatalysts into porous ceramic electrodes using approaches such as infiltration, impregnation, and exsolution.
- Electrochemical characterization using polarization measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and complementary techniques.
- Investigation of electrode kinetics, interfacial resistances, mass transport, and degradation mechanisms.
- Operation of ceramic electrochemical cells at temperatures typically between 400 and 800 °C and, where relevant, under elevated pressure.
- Gas-phase analysis of reaction products using GC, QMS/MS, and FTIR.
- Physico-structural characterization of materials and electrodes using techniques such as XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX, and TEM.
- Correlation of material and electrode properties with electrochemical performance, selectivity, and durability.
- Long-term durability experiments and post-test degradation analysis.
- Preparation of scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.
- Supervision and support of BSc and MSc students.
- Contribution to the collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment at DIFFER and within the project consortium.
Job requirements
We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in electrochemistry, material science and catalysis.
You should have:
- A Master's degree, or equivalent, in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Applied Physics, Energy Engineering, Electrochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Practical research experience with SOFC/SOEC, PCFC/PCEC, or closely related ceramic electrochemical-cell technologies.
- Experience with the fabrication, assembly, or electrochemical testing of ceramic electrochemical cells is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with ceramic electrolytes, porous electrodes, mixed ionic-electronic conductors, or electrode/electrolyte interfaces is highly desirable.
- Experience with electrochemical characterization techniques, particularly EIS and polarization measurements, is considered a strong advantage.
- Experience with high-temperature experimental setups, gas handling, fuel-cell/electrolyser test stations, or product analysis by GC, QMS/MS, or FTIR is an advantage.
- Knowledge of electrocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, infiltration, exsolution, or ceramic-material synthesis will be regarded as an additional asset.
- Strong analytical skills, initiative, and creativity.
- A genuine curiosity for science and motivation to pursue high-level experimental research.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary environment with a positive team spirit.
- Candidates with hands-on experience in SOFC/SOEC or PCFC/PCEC research are particularly encouraged to apply.
Conditions of employment
This position is for 1 FTE, will be for a period of 4 years and is graded in pay scale PhD; the gross monthly salary starts with €3.115,- in the first year and increases to €3.989,- in the fourth year of your employment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of year bonus of 8.33%.
The position will be based at DIFFER (www.differ.nl) and the working location will be at TU Eindhoven. When fulfilling a position at DIFFER, you will have an employee status at NWO. You can participate in all the employee benefits NWO offers. We have a number of regulations that support employees in finding a good work-life balance. At DIFFER we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to apply. More information on working at NWO can be found at the NWO website (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/).
Employer
Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research
DIFFER: Science for future energy
At the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) we work on a future in which clean energy will be available to everybody, anywhere in the world. DIFFER’s mission is to perform leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure.
Our research focuses on two major energy themes: fusion energy as a clean, safe and sustainable energy source and chemical energy. We work in close partnership with (inter)national academia and industry. DIFFER is one of the ten research institutes of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Within our institute physicists, chemists, engineers, and other specialists work together in multidisciplinary teams to accelerate the transition to a sustainable society. DIFFER’s workforce is currently composed of ~160 scientists (of which 60 guests and interns), supported by ~40 technicians and ~40 support staff members.
The global nature of the energy challenge is apparent from the international representation of our employees, who originate from over 30 different countries. To strengthen our commitment to diversity, we formed a task force to design, implement, and monitor diversity and gender equality initiatives.
Additional information
Further information about the vacancy is available through Dr. M. N. Tsampas, e-mail: m.tsampas@differ.nl, and via the CEPEA website at www.differ.nl/research/cepea.
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply button. The application should include:
- A motivation letter describing your interest in the position and, in particular, your previous experience with ceramic electrochemical cells, or closely related technologies.
- A curriculum vitae, including contact details of at least two references.
- A list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.
We look forward to receiving your application and will start screening applications as soon as they are received. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.
Closing date
The vacancy will close on Sunday, November 29.