Research Assistant / Associate in Mitigating degradation and enhancing durability in metal supported solid oxide electrolysers
Publicerad 2024-12-17
In this exciting collaboration between Imperial College London, University of St Andrews and Ceres Power, funded by the UK-HyRES programme, we will focus on understanding and mitigating degradation mechanisms in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) used in the production of green hydrogen. The project will focus on understanding electrode materials and their degradation mechanisms under the high current density conditions experienced in operating SOECs. The successful candidate will be based at Imperial College London and will focus on leading two of the four workpackages (WP). In the first WP the activity will be on linking electrochemical activity at interfaces with the atomistic and microstructural scale changes in the electrode, whilst the second will determine the effect of potential atmospheric contaminants on the electrode stability and performance. Underlying each of these tasks will be the correlation of the data obtained with electrochemical data from commercial cells. The applicant will be expected to work closely with the team at St Andrews in developing impedance testing protocols to enable the lab scale findings to be meaningfully translated to commercial cell technologies.
Research Duties:
Undertake solid oxide cell electrochemical evaluation using electrochemical impedance spectroscopyUndertake transmission electron microscopy evaluation of ceramic:ceramic interfaces, using a wide range of analytical techniques, including under in-situ and operando conditionsDevelop atom probe tomography protocols to apply to solid oxide electrolysersPerform ion beam experiments, including SIMS and LEIS, on ceramic samplesProbe the correlation of cell degradation with impurity content and microstructureUndertake complementary measurements of ceramic samplesProbe the surface chemistry of components using X-ray Photoelectron SpectroscopyUndertake all associated data analysis and interpretation of dataLiaise with industrial and academic partners and attend all relevant progress meetingsAttend regular project meetings with the PI and provide all relevant materials (reports, presentations, data) in a timely wayAssist the other research staff in the day-to-day management of the electroceramic group laboratoriesLiaise with research staff and students working in broad areas of relevance to the research projectWrite quarterly progress reports and prepare results for publication and dissemination via journals, presentations and the webDisseminate research results through common dissemination routes, including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferencesAttend progress and management meetings as required and network with both internal and external research groupsAttend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.Develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community.Undertake instruction of PhD students, as agreed.Actively participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars. Research Associate: Hold a PhD in chemistry, physics or materials science and engineering.
Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics or materials science and engineering.
Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journalsPractical experience of a broad range of transmission electron microscopy analytical and imaging techniques applied to ceramics Practical experience of electrochemical characterisation of solid oxide cells
Practical experience with one ion beam analytical technique (. SIMS, LEIS, RBS)
Demonstrated experience of relevant data analysis techniquesExperience of undertaking solid oxide cell electrochemical characterisation
Practical experience of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopyExperience of synthesis and characterisation of high quality materials suitable for microscopy and/or surface analytical experimentsCharacterisation of degradation processes in solid oxide cellsExperience of atom probe tomography (APT) techniques applied to oxidesExperience of organisation of project meetings and laboratory management
Experience of vacuum systems operation and maintenanceGeneral background on defect chemistryPractical experience of secondary electron microscopyPractical experience of X-ray DiffractionExperience in the study of ion beam solid interactions, particularly for ceramic materials The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progressionSector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).We provide a wide-ranging benefits package that includes resources, tools and networks to promote a positive working environment.Pensions – excellent employer contributionsSeason Ticket loan – interest free.Childcare facilities – Early Years Education CentreChildcare vouchers – salary sacrifice scheme.Staff accommodationOur flagship sports centre and gym in South Kensington Campus
