Energy storage is an indispensable factor for bridging the electricity consumption with the intermittent renewable energy supply, crucial for our energy transition. Flow batteries can leverage their large (and relatively cheap) liquid reservoir to cover the daily or even multiple-day fluctuations in energy consumption and production.

In the RELEASE (Reversible Large scale Energy Storage) project, a multi-disciplinary team addresses several challenges for energy storage. This vacancy addresses specifically the aspects in engineering operational strategies for flow batteries. We’re looking for an excellent postdoc with good engineering skills, to investigate how flow geometries, electrolyte concentrations and control (flow in batch or continuous, operate at constant or dynamic current, etc.) can improve the technology of flow batteries. The flow batteries involved in this project are the H2-Br2 flow battery (in collaboration with the company Elestor) and the salt water (acid/base) flow battery (in collaboration with the company AquaBattery). The job will include both simulations and experimental work; you will perform experiments on cross-over and electrochemical performance (lab-scale and pilot-scale) and simulations for optimizing control and flow fields. You will work together with PhD’s that are developing components (membranes, electrodes), and you will bring together the properties of novel components to assess the performance in an integrated flow battery.

Your daily operation is in the David Vermaas research group. The work of our group addresses electrochemical flow systems, including applications of electrolysis, water technology, CO2 capture and flow batteries. The work will also contribute to TU Delft’s e-Refinery institute on electrochemical synthesis that includes >20 principal investigators across the campus, where electrochemical advances are used and valorised in upscaled prototypes, in collaboration with industrial partners.

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• A PhD degree, in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics or similar
• Experience in working with electrochemical systems (can be batteries, but also backgrounds in fuel cells, electrolyzers or water technologies are considered relevant)
• Simulation experience (COMSOL, Aspen, or similar) is considered a plus
• Experience in membrane technology (e.g. electrodialysis, membrane distillation, etc.) is considered a plus
• Strong system-thinking skills: overviewing the whole system
• Knowledge of process technology
• Pro-active and creative mind-set
• Fluent in English. Speaking Dutch is a plus
• Starting date flexible; starting soon is possible

TU Delft creates equal opportunities and encourages women to apply.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

This engineering position offers:

• Challenging job in a highly innovative technology field
• Embedding in an enthusiastic team of engineers and researchers
• A position for 2 years

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.