Job description
As part of the 30 Mio € SLDBattproject, we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to design and scale up a low-cost, safe and high energy density (up to 100 Wh/kg cell-level) long-duration battery (8+ hrs of storage) using sodium chloride and (recycled) aluminum with a NaAlCl4 electrolyte. You will work very closely with Exergy Storage, the battery developer, and another postdoctoral researcher in the PCS research group, to investigate the limiting physico-chemical phenomena inside the battery and propose design and operational strategies to overcome them. A core feature of your work will be combining multiphysics modelling for cell design with electrochemical testing, e.g. charge-discharge cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, for model parametrization and validation. By leveraging this combined experimental and modelling approach, we aim to unlock innovations allowing for cell capacities up to 4 kWh and discharge durations of up to 100 hours.
Your profile
- You have a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, applied physics or a related field.
- You have a strong track-record and experience in physics-based modelling of batteries.
- You have experience coding in C++/Python/Julia and/or using software such as COMSOL Multiphysics.
- You have experience and/or willing to learn hands-on cell testing via electrochemical characterisation (i-V, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and analytical techniques (SEM-EDX, XRD, IR, Raman).
- You are self-driven and able to work independently but also happy to contribute to a team effort in an enthusiastic group of scientists and engineers working on a common theme.
- You are willing to mentor PhD, Master and Bachelor researchers in the group and help out with group responsibilities.
- You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with external parties from academia and industry in regular meetings and work visits.
Our offer
- A full-time position for 36 months.
- Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
- You will receive a gross monthly salary depending on experience and qualifications from € 4.241,- to € 5.538,-.
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
- A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
- Free access to sports facilities on campus.
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
- Excellent career support and courses for your professional and personal development.
Information and application
Your application should include
- a 1 A4 page cover letter, emphasizing why you would be a good fit for the position,
- a detailed CV including the name and e-mail address for at least two references, and
- a half A4 page summary of your PhD research.
An interview (or two) comprising of a scientific presentation followed by discussion will be part of the selection procedure. Following a pre-selection, short-listed candidates will likely be invited for interviews 1-2 weeks after the application deadline.
For more information and/or specific questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Aayan Banerjee (a.banerjee@utwente.nl). However, please do not send applications to this email address or via LinkedIn. They will not be taken into consideration.
You can apply via the button below.
About the department
You will be a part of the Sustainable Electrochemical Engineering and Digitalisation SEEDlab. SEED is co-hosted by the research groups Catalytic Processes and Materials and Inorganic Membranes in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Twente. At SEED, you will join a team of ~10 highly motivated researchers all working to accelerate electrochemical technology development for the low carbon energy and materials transition by bridging nano-scale physics to industrial-scale systems.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
