Postdoc Complexes for Novel Flow Batteries

What will be the new generation of batteries for long-duration energy storage?

Job description

Energy storage is an indispensable factor for bridging electricity consumption with intermittent renewable energy supply. With increasing supply of renewable electricity in our energy mix, and electrification across industrial, transport, commercial, and residential sectors straining existing grid infrastructure, electricity storage is required to prevent congestion and transmission bottlenecks. This storage is needed across a broad range of timescales. While technology is available for short to medium timescales, very little technology is available to store electricity efficiently for durations of 25+ hours.

In that light, the collaborative research project REDOX BLEND was started at seven Dutch universities and knowledge institutes (TU Delft, RUG, UTwente, TU Eindhoven, U Nijmegen, DIFFER, TNO) to develop next-generation batteries for ultra-long-duration energy storage. Specifically, this postdoc position focuses on redox-mediated solutions to increase the energy density of flow batteries. You will study complexes with transition metals, such as iron-based complexes, and inorganic Prussian blue analogue materials. You will also study coatings and additives to secure stable particles of these redox-active materials.

We’re looking for a postdoc with a background in electrochemistry, with excellent performance for their career stage. The candidate should have strong collaboration skills for interdisciplinary research, leveraging joint research with other universities in the project and with industrial partners including Aquabattery, Elestor, and Ore Energy. The candidate should also have expertise in experimental work in both materials science and process technology to demonstrate the new redox flow battery technology at cell level.

Job requirements

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• A PhD degree in chemical engineering, applied chemistry, or similar
• Proven experience working with electrochemical systems
• Proven lab skills
• Experience with synthesis of complexes or redox-active materials is a plus
• An excellent publication record
• A proactive and creative mindset
• Fluency in English; speaking Dutch is a plus

This postdoc position offers

• A challenging job in a highly innovative technology field
• Embedding in an enthusiastic team of engineers and researchers
• Collaboration with industrial partners
• A position for 2 years

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as about 3,600 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, the faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years
• Temporary appointment
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages
• Flexible working week
• 232 leave hours per year based on 38 hours, with options to buy or sell additional leave hours via the individual choice budget
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training, and courses
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention to healthy and energetic working through the vitality program
• Relocation support for moving to the Netherlands, including support for accompanying partners through a Dual Career Programme