PhD Position Stable CO2 and CO electrolysis on Copper Electrodes

Job description

The electrification of the chemical industry requires new technologies to convert CO₂ into fuels and chemicals where direct electrification is not possible. Copper-based electrolysis can uniquely produce key molecules like ethylene, but copper instability currently limits real-world deployment.

The research will focus on understanding what fundamentally controls copper stability during CO₂ and CO electrolysis and on stabilizing copper through controlling catalyst-layer architectures, confinement, conductivity, and operating strategies. You will combine electrochemical testing with structural and spatial characterization to link copper redistribution to performance loss, and develop engineering strategies that prevent or reverse degradation during long-term operation. Experimentation is expected to be supported by scientific hypotheses and phenomena-centered explanations.

The succesful 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 group principal investigator Thomas Burdyny.

This PhD project is embedded in the Burdyny Energy Lab, a dynamic research group of ~6–9 PhD students and postdocs working on electrochemical energy conversion at the interface of transport, materials, and reactor engineering. The candidate is also expected to work closely with a 2nd PhD position beginning one year later.

Job requirements

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• An MSc in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, chemistry or similar.
• Required: Previous hands-on electrochemical experience or knowledge.
• 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.
• Fluent in English.

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.

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.