"PhD on Computational Modelling of Porous Materials for Water Electrolyzers"

Job Description

Do you want to help accelerate the energy transition? Are you excited about advancing green hydrogen technologies? Do you want to work in a multidisciplinary and international team?

We are seeking a motivated and creative PhD candidate to join our team to develop next-generation porous transport layers (PTLs) and microporous layers (MPLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers (PEMWEs). The project will focus on building a multi-scale computational model to capture the complex transport of gases, liquids, and charges in these porous structures, including the complex interfaces between them. Insights from the model will directly guide the manufacturing and optimization of advanced PTL/MPL architectures, with the goal of improving efficiency, durability, and reducing precious-metal requirements.

This is a unique opportunity to combine modeling, simulation, and experimental validation while working at the forefront of electrochemical energy conversion and contributing to the global transition to green hydrogen.

Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines. Experience with modelling multiphase flows or electrochemical reactors is a plus.
• 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.
• The project will involved collaboration with a leading industrial partner.
• An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• 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. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).
• 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.