A vacancy is available for a PhD student in the field of pressurized alkaline water electrolysis within the group Sustainable Process Engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlands

Research group

The group sustainable process engineering (SPE) within the faculty of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering develops small scale, intensified and integrated systems for the distributed production of chemicals, with low impact and zero waste. We make use of alternative energy sources like light, electricity and bio-based sources, and we combine these in new reactors capable of continuous, high efficiency production of chemicals. More information can be found at: Sustainable Process Engineering (tue.nl)

PEACE project and alkaline electrolysis PhD position

The PhD position on alkaline water electrolysis is part of the larger PEACE project, which is a European consortium of knowledge institutes and industrial partners. The PEACE project aims to develop flexible pressurized alkaline electrolyzers that can be powered by variable renewable electricity sources. These electrolyzers can be used to produce green hydrogen, which is an essential ingredient to decarbonize hard to abate sectors such as the chemical and the steel industry. In contrast to other water electrolysis technologies alkaline water electrolysis does not depend on noble or rare earth metals with limited availability and therefore seems particularly suitable for scale up. Yet, one limiting factor of pressurized alkaline electrolyzers is their flexibility. Addressing this challenge is the main focus of the PEACE project.

The PhD position on alkaline water electrolysis will focus on the development and investigation of different cell designs and electrode coating materials to determine how the best performing alkaline electrolysis cell can be obtained. The activities will be carried out in close collaboration with the European partners in the PEACE project.

We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic PhD student with a background in chemical engineering. We're searching for an excellent candidate with proven capacities who recently finished his/her master (MSc) or will obtain his/her MSc soon. Knowledge, experience and a strong affinity with electrochemistry and/or chemical reactor engineering are highly appreciated. Preferably, the candidate enjoys working with a large and complex pressurized electrolyzer setup. Moreover, excellent communication skills in English are vital.

We offer a challenging job for four years in a highly motivated team at a dynamic and ambitious University. You will be part of a highly profiled multidisciplinary collaboration where expertise of a variety of disciplines comes together.

The TU/e is located in one of the smartest regions of the world en part of the European technology hotspot 'Brainport Eindhoven'; well-known because of many high-tech industries and start-ups. A place to be for talented scientists!

In addition, we offer you:

• 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.
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• 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 27 (min. €2,541 max. €3,247).
• 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.