PhD Position Accelareted Stress Testing of SOFC for Heavy Martime Applications

Job description 

Research Program: HyUSE - Groenvermogen

The maritime industry is under pressure to reach net-zero Greenhouse gas target set for 2050 on international shipping to alleviate the climate crisus. Hydrogen is one of the fuels that could help the sector to reach the targets. At present limited knowledge is available on the (long term) performance of fuel cells under heavy offshore maritime applications where the air that is needed to operate the fuel cell contains a substantial amount of salt particles.

At the Maritime Technology department within Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Delft University of Technology, we are looking for a talented and motivated PhD candidate in the field of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) as part of the HyUSE project (HyUSE https://groenvermogennl.org/project/hyuse/ ). The position is on accelerated stress testing of SOFCs under maritme operating conditions.  You will work at  the Delft University of Technology. It is expected that you will colaborate with a PhD candidate working at the university of Groningen on accelerated testing of SOFC for truck applications . You will also collaborate with the maritime research institute MARIN in Wageningen.

Your responsibilities and tasks

• Development of accelerated testing methods for testing SOFCs for shipping conditions.

• Development of  Accelerated stress testing methods on moving platforms.

• Cell performance modeling.

• Cell level Accelerated Stress Testing.

• Short stack level Accelerated Stress Testing.

Job requirements 

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds to enrich our dynamic and diverse research group, especially individuals with a background in Mechanical & Maritime Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Applied Physics. Students with a strong interest in fuel cell technology, electrochemistry, thermodynamis and previous experience with experimental or laboratory work are appreciated.

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 Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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.  

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information

  For more information about this vacancy, please contact: Prof. B.J. Boersma, email: b.j.boersma@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 8 December 2024 via the application button and upload:

• A cover letter stating your motivation (max 1 page).

• A detailed curriculum vitae.

• Name and contact information of two professional referees.

• A list of courses taken with grades obtained in Bachelors and Masters degree.

• A list of publications (if any).  

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines)
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.