The Catalytic Processes and Materials (CPM) group, from the faculty of Science and Technology (S&T) of the University of Twente, in collaboration with the Thermal Engineering (TE) group, from the Faculty of Engineering Technology are searching for a PhD candidate for the HOT project. In this project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), you will develop thermal routers with a core made of graphite, exploiting its high thermal conductivity and flexible properties, and a ultra-high thermal resistive capping layer based on 2D heterostructures to facilitate heat to flow along the graphite core. The thermal routers and the insolation layer must be compact and flexible. These thermal elements will be applied for advanced thermal management of batteries, leading to an isothermal operating performance. The outcome of this project will play a key role in our electrified future.

We envision a candidate that will be using thin-film layer deposition techniques, like Chemical Vapor Deposition, to achieve conformal 2D layers (transitional metal dichacolgenides) on top of graphite. We expect the candidate to be able to conduct thin-film growth in both cleanroom and wet-chemistry labs followed by detailed characterization of physico-chemical and thermal properties of the materials. The thermal characterization will be accompanied multi-physics modelling of the observed behavior, providing new descriptors for the development of advanced thermal conduits. We expect the candidate to interact with the industrial partners of the project, Philips, Thales, VDL and InnoEnergy, for the development of fabrication recipes that can be scaled-up in the future.

The work will be carried out in collaboration between the University of Twente (The Netherlands) (~2.5 years) and the CSIC-Madrid (Spain) (~1.5 year). The work at the University of Twente will be conducted in the Catalytic Processes and Materials group (Dr. ir. J.A. Faria) in the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Thermal and Fluid Engineering group (Prof. G. Brem) in the Faculty of Engineering Technology. In the CSIC-Madrid the work will be supervised by the group FINDER (Dr. M. Muñoz Rojo). You are encouraged to visit the different groups here:

• Catalytic Processes and Materials group (https://www.utwente.nl/en/tnw/cpm/)
• Thermal and Fluid Engineering group (https://www.utwente.nl/en/et/tfe/research-groups/TE/)
• CSIC-Madrid (http://www.termoelectricos.imm-cnm.csic.es/)

We seek highly motivated early-career researcher with a MSc degree on applied physics, material science, and/or nanotechnology with an excellent background on thermal characterization, solid-state physics, micro-fabrication, and cleanroom experience. Programing experience is highly valued on (MATLAB, C/C++, Python, COMSOL). Our ideal candidate must enjoy working in an internationally and multi-disciplinary team contributing to the research of team-members. We welcome strong interpersonal skills and interest in sharing knowledge at conferences and meetings. Proficiency in English is required, both spoken and written. The appointment will require mobility of the candidate between the Netherlands (2.5 years) and Spain (1.5 years).

• Full-time 4-year PhD position.
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• Salary and conditions in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities. The PhD salary is € 2.443,- in the first year and increases to € 3.122,- in the fourth year.
• Full status as an employee, including pension and health care benefits.
• A stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities, including access to the NanoLab in the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology.
• A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School.
• Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary (the 30% tax regulation).
• The number of holiday hours with full-time employment is 232 hours per calendar year
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The Catalytic Processes and Materials (CPM) group is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology, TNW, at University of Twente. Within CPM we apply fundamental knowledge on molecular reactions and diffusion in/on heterogeneous catalysts for exploration of new catalytic materials, catalytic devices, and processes of relevance for industry and society. The research in the Thermal Engineering (TE) group, within the Faculty of Engineering Technology, is concerned with questions related to industrial applications of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat and mass transport.