Responsibilities and tasks
The research tasks are highly interdisciplinary and will combine knowledge in plasma physics and chemistry and plasma-surface interactions as well as gas flow patterns. It will perfectly line up with emerging research lines and granted projects at DIFFER.
• Coordinate the project requirements imposed by the grant provider.
• Implementation and testing of simulations for advanced pilot hybrid plasma reactor specification and design.
• Evaluation and optimization of the reactor performance in synergy with the experiments.
• Dissemination of results (project deliverables and publications).

In framework of the KEROGREEN project funded by the European commission, the Computational Plasma Physics and Chemistry group has a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher.
KEROGREEN offers a novel conversion route to sustainable aviation fuel synthesized from H2O and CO2 powered by renewable electricity. Because the sustainable kerosene emits less soot and no sulphur, it meets future aviation air pollution standards. The conversion is based on plasma driven CO2 dissociation, solid oxide membranes and Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis of kerosene. Synergy between plasma activated species and novel perovskite electrodes of the oxygen separator are expected to raise CO productivity and energy efficiency.

We seek enthusiastic candidates that are willing to work in an international and interdisciplinary team of physicists and chemists. The applicant should have a PhD in physics or chemistry or computational science and experience in low temperature plasma modeling preferably with a focus on plasma chemistry. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in the development and use of computer simulation codes and who have qualifying experience in a scientific research institute. Very good programming skills (e.g. Fortran, C, C++) are essential as well as good verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory. NWO-I prefers candidates who have qualifying experience (e.g. as PhD student or postdoctoral researcher) in a scientific research institute abroad.

Fixed-term contract: four years.

You will be employed by NWO-I for a fixed period of two years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 4,237 euro gross per month, depending on your level of experience. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 percent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33 percent. The conditions of employment of NWO-I are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). General information about working at NWO-I can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'Job interview code' applies to this position.

DIFFER

DIFFER is the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research, one of the nine research institutes of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The institute focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to energy research, combining physics, chemistry, engineering and materials science. DIFFER's research takes place in two main themes: Solar Fuels for the conversion and storage of renewable energy and Fusion Energy as a clean and unlimited source of energy. DIFFER develops and supports a national network on fundamental energy research and collaborates closely with the academic community and industrial partners.
In framework of the KEROGREEN project funded by the European commission, the Computational Plasma Physics and Chemistry group has a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher.