The transport sector produces harmful emissions that cause climate change and have detrimental health effects. Electrification of the transport sector is one of the leading contenders to rid these emissions, hence the use of batteries will play an increasing role in the energy transition needed to control unwarranted global climate change. Big open questions are, amongst others: “What is the cost reduction potential for batteries?” and “How do electric cars equipped with onboard battery storage compete with low-carbon alternatives in the transport sector?”. These questions are not trivial for a number of reasons, but the BatteryNL project will attempt to produce a comprehensive set of answers.

In particular, the goal is to find out whether battery costs can continue to decline along learning curves observed for many different technologies to date, and to find out whether the performance of batteries can be improved from a techno-economic perspective, hence enabling them to constitute an efficient, clean, affordable and safe solution for the transformation of the transport sector. The PhD position associated with this part of BatteryNL is dedicated to the techno-economics of batteries as an electricity storage option.

What are you going to do?
Essentially two main thrusts of research will be undertaken under this PhD project. First, learning-by-doing research is applied to construct learning curves for Li-ion batteries using cost and capacity data obtained from literature and the industrial partners in the BatteryNL consortium, on the basis of which costs estimates are made (present and future) of novel battery systems as researched in BatteryNL. Second, energy system and/or integrated assessment modelling efforts are undertaken, with a model such as TIAM-ECN, using input from the methodology on learning curves, so as to determine the overall competitiveness of incumbent and new battery technologies in the marketplace, where they need to compete with a large range of alternative (existing or future) energy storage options.

A thorough perspective on the techno-economics and energy system aspects of new and existing Li-ion battery systems is paramount in order to achieve the ultimate large-scale diffusion of innovative batteries. Only if costs are low enough, social acceptance high enough, and their energy systems behaviour suitable enough can new battery types spread broadly across our economy and thereby contribute to accommodating intermittent renewable energy sources and enabling a large series of low-carbon energy options, and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. This PhD project constitutes thus a quintessential part of the BatteryNL project contributing to its main objectives, without which it is impossible to study the real-live implementation capabilities of new battery systems. In other words, this techno-economic research occupies a critical link between the many distinct activities of BatteryNL.

You will/tasks:

• Undertake techno-economic research on the electrification of, and the use of batteries in, the transport sector and the transformation thereof;
• Update and improve the relevant learning curves, particularly for Li-ion batteries, but also for potentially other battery types and/or improvements;
• Closely connect to other parts of the BatteryNL project, so as to cross-fertilize the various work-packages and come to joint insights;
• Determine the overall costs and potential for cost reductions of electrified transport means, and their role in mitigating emissions from the transport sector;
• Assess the overall potential for system cost reductions in relation to other constraints and/or policy instruments such as CO2 taxation;
• Perform energy systems analysis so as inspect the role of the electrification of transportation and other sectors in the broader ongoing energy transition.

A recent MSc degree in the natural or environmental sciences (or related field), preferably including affinity with energy systems analysis and techno-economic studies.

Your experience and profile:

• Good communication skills in oral and written English;
• Takes initiative and has good time management skills;
• Interest in collaborating with students and colleagues in and outside the institute.

Knowledge, skills and experiences which are a plus are mentioned separately from the summary in a sentence. These include affinity with energy research and/or techno-economic studies.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week, preferably starting on 1 June 2024, for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and Masters students. Based on a full-time contract (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from € 2,770 in the first year to € 3,539 (scale P) in the last year. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer?

• a function in which initiative is strongly valued;
• an enthusiastic team that welcomes new members;
• an inspiring academic and international environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Science

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, and is curiosity as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four main themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics. Increasing interdisciplinary research is undertaken in the field of energy, climate change and sustainability.

The Sustainable Energy Technology (SET) group researches, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the technologies and options needed to control global climate change and reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. The SET group does so by employing two types of analysis: (1) technology-economic assessments including studies on current and future costs as well as tools like learning curves, (2) integrated assessment research using energy system models to produce scenarios for climate change mitigation.

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative, and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.