PhD Position Optimizing Hydrometallurgical Recovery of CRMs from Li-ion Battery Black Mass

Join us to advance sustainable battery recycling. Develop technologies to recover high-purity materials from complex Li-ion streams and help drive innovations that close the materials loop.

Job description

Join the Materials Production, Refining and Recycling (MPRR) group in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at TU Delft and contribute to advancing battery circularity by optimizing the recovery of critical raw materials in the hydrometallurgical recycling of Li-ion batteries.

As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Investigate purification and separation methods to understand mechanisms for impurity removal (e.g., Cu, Al, Fe) and for better recovery of Co, Ni, and Mn.
• Identify and optimize key process parameters for black mass treatment in close collaboration with industry partners.
• Evaluate the performance of recycled materials in new battery cells.

Your work will contribute to recycling routes that use fewer chemicals, reduce waste, and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional processes.

Background

Batteries are essential for decarbonizing transport and enabling renewable energy storage, yet their widespread use presents a growing waste-management challenge. Recycling spent batteries is key to recovering valuable materials and improving the sustainability of the battery value chain. Hydrometallurgical recycling is particularly suitable to handle the complex and variable composition of industrial Li-ion waste streams. However, it must become more efficient and sustainable, while achieving higher purity and recovery rates to meet EU regulatory targets.

This project is part of the CRM Lion project, which is part of the national program for Material Independence & Circular Batteries, supporting the development of Li-ion battery recycling industry in the Netherlands.

Job requirements

We are seeking a proactive, self-motivated candidate with a strong background in experimental research. Candidates should meet the following requirements:

• MSc degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Solid understanding of chemical reactions and thermodynamics. Practical experience in recycling, hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry in a plus.
• Strong communication skills in English, including proficiency in scientific writing (reports, papers) and technical presentations.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and willingness to collaborate with project partners, including academic and industry stakeholders.

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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

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 on their website 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

The expected starting period is early 2026

For more information about this vacancy, please contact: Dr. Shoshan Abrahami, S.T.Abrahami@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 1 December 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

•  A cover (motivation) letter

• A detailed CV

• Abstract of MSc thesis in English

• Contact details of 2-3 references

   

You can address your application to Dr. Shoshan Abrahami.

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. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.