PhD Position Formulating the Route Towards Sustainable Sodium Sulfur Batteries

Do you want to do hands-on experimental work on the chemistry of novel battery technologies, while also exploring the broader environmental implications of a technology?

Job description

In collaboration with the Climate Safety & Security centre (CaSS) and the Faculty of Applied Sciences, we invite applications for a PhD position focusing on the development of sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries as a sustainable, EU-based alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The research focuses on stationary energy storage applications aimed at mitigating the mismatch between supply and demand of sustainable energy sources.

This project addresses key aspects of this multidisciplinary challenge by, on the one hand, identifying and experimentally exploring the most promising Na-S battery concepts, and, on the other hand, mapping the potential greenhouse gas emissions, ecological impact, and societal aspects, including safety and strategic autonomy, when deployed at scale within Europe. By considering both the battery material design route and the sustainability aspect of realizing this technology at scale within Europe, this project aims to provide key insights and a roadmap for the technology.

The PhD student will have a multidisciplinary journey, in which promising Na-S battery concepts will be prepared in the lab and evaluated using electrochemical testing and characterization methods such as XPS, XRD, SEM and solid state NMR.

This requires that the candidate preferably has prior experience in:

• Hands-on synthesis of inorganic materials
• Electrochemical testing
• One or more of the characterization techniques mentioned above

In parallel, the PhD student will map material flows and assess the environmental and criticality implications of Na-S battery production at scale within Europe. This involves material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of sodium and sulfur extraction routes and battery manufacturing steps, covering greenhouse gas emissions, ecological impacts, and the supply criticality of key materials. The aim is to identify environmental hotspots and potential supply chain vulnerabilities, and to assess how different material choices and production routes affect the overall sustainability and strategic profile of the technology. The estimated time division between the lab work and the environmental and criticality assessment is expected to be roughly 50%/50%.

You will work with leading researchers in materials science, electrochemistry, battery technology, and industrial ecology, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable energy storage. If you are driven by curiosity, eager to work with cutting-edge experimental techniques, and interested in both the chemistry of energy storage and the systems-level analysis of its environmental implications, this position offers a unique opportunity.

This PhD position is part of the interdisciplinary Climate Safety & Security centre (CaSS) at TU Delft | Campus The Hague. This centre conducts research on fair access to fundamental human needs - water, food and energy - and their crucial enablers: infrastructures and materials. The goal is to contribute to a safe and secure future society by connecting insights from engineering, design and governance. The PhD student will contribute to the Energy Security flagship within CaSS. The successful candidate will work 1 day/week at TU Delft | Campus The Hague and will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from across TU Delft, as well as policy makers from national governments and international organisations in The Hague and beyond.

Job requirements

Master’s degree in (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Ecology or a closely related field with prior experience in preferably all of the following:

1. Synthesis of inorganic materials, including experience with electrochemical testing
2. Preferably experience with characterization using NMR, XPS and XRD
3. Strong interest in sustainability and critical raw materials
4. Preferably experience with industrial ecology-related sustainability tools, such as life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, and/or other related methods

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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, its engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 principal investigators, and about 3,600 students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences offers an inspiring scientific ecosystem. The faculty focuses on key enabling technologies such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion. Its scientists conduct fundamental and applied research in Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics.