PhD Position Reactor Engineering and Scale-up of CO2 to Ethylene Electrolyzers

PhD Position Reactor Engineering and Scale-up of CO2 to Ethylene Electrolyzers

Scaling-up the Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Ethylene

Job description

The open position is an Industrial PhD between the Delft University of Technology and TNO Rijswijk for the development and operation of a scaled CO2 electrolyzer for the production of ethylene. A substantial portion of the work will be in the design, development and testing of a stable electrochemical system immune to various failure mechanisms. The developed concepts will then be scaled to 1000 cm² electrode areas and subsequently extended to a stacked electrolyzer configuration. The role will require innovative system and cell design, materials sourcing, process flow development and experimental testing. Working and laboratory time will be split between TU Delft and TNO Rijswijk.

At TU Delft the researcher will work within a team of 5-8 PhDs/postdocs in the research group of Thomas Burdyny, and will have access to state-of-the-art 5 cm² and 50 cm² CO2 electrolyzer infrastructure and the Chemical Engineering Department's broad set of equipment. At TNO Rijswijk the researcher will be stationed in the electrochemical engineering research group headed by Michele Tedesco, and will aid in the continuing development of a multi-kW electrolyzer system.

The successful candidate is expected to publish first-authored papers that advance state-of-the-art fundamental and applied knowledge in the research field. Further, the candidate will present their work at national and international conferences while building their own personal career pathway in consultation with the project supervisors.

The PhD candidate is also expected to have regular interaction and exchange with the PhD candidate working in parallel on multi-scale modeling (at TU Delft Mechanical Eng & TNO), in order to provide a good feedback loop between modeling and experimental activities, to feed each other research with relevant input to accelerate the technology development.

Job requirements

• An MSc in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics or similar.
• Able to work independently and as part of a greater team. Contributes to the social well-being and culture of the research group.
• A demonstrated record of an academic mindset illustrating critical thinking. For example through thesis or internship work.
• A pro-active and creative mind-set.
• Experience in performing and designing experiments with electrochemical systems is considered a plus.
• Fluent in English.
• Starting date planned for asap in 2025.
• A mix of curiosity-driven passion and result-oriented mentality.
• Good written and spoken communication skills.

TU Delft (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.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Thomas Burdyny (t.e.burdyny@tudelft.nl) or Michele Tedesco (michele.tedesco@tno.nl). We retain the right to start interviewing interesting candidates before the end date of this vacancy.