ESA Graduate Trainee in Regenerative Fuel Cell System Modelling for Lunar Night Survival

Our team and mission

You will join the Energy Storage Section within the Power Systems, Electromagnetic Compatibility & Space Environment Division (Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality).

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of energy storage for space applications, including primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Fuel cells have been of increased interest in recent time due to very promising applications in space, for example lunar night survival energy storage systems. One of the main differences in respect to terrestrial applications is that instead of ambient air pure O2 will be used and that O2 needs to be stored similarly to H2. The most relevant technologies for this traineeship are Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and High Temperature PEM (HT-PEM).

You will develop and validate Regenerative Fuel Cell System models based on previous developments using EcosimPro. There will also be the possibility to test different fuel cell stacks and possibly some balance-of-plant components in a fuel cell test rig to support model development.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Performing a literature review related to ESA’s and other studies performed in the field of Regenerative Fuel Cell Systems.
• Developing and validating Regenerative Fuel Cell System models in EcosimPro.
• Performing the modelling of the Regenerative Fuel Cell System using EcosimPro.
• Comparing the models with the ones obtained in other ESA studies.
• Using the models for de-risking initial system design of the Regenerative Fuel Cell System.
• Testing of fuel cell stacks and Regenerative Fuel Cell System components using the fuel cell test rig.
• Consolidation of the fuel cell stack model using the obtained test results.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains.
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities.
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities.
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of, your master’s degree in physics, electrochemistry, engineering or another relevant discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

• Demonstrated knowledge of fuel cell/electrolyser technologies along with relevant hands-on experience in fuel cell/electrolyser testing, data processing and analysis.
• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and/or High Temperature PEM (HT-PEM) knowledge is required.
• Experience in modeling and simulating complex systems, preferentially fuel cell/electrolyser systems.
• Knowledge and experience with regenerative fuel cell systems would be an asset.
• Some experience of the risks in performing fuel cell testing especially in the context of using H2 and pure O2 instead of air would also be an asset.
• Experience with simulation software such as EcosimPro is an asset.

Important information and disclaimer

• Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Nationality and languages

Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.