PhD Position Silicon Based Electrodes for Lithium Ion Battery with Interphase Engineering
Silicon based anodes with interphase engineering for lithium ion battery.
Job description
- Within this job position, you will engage a PhD project comprising the following macro tasks:
- Development of silicon based anodes using PECVD technique.
- Deposition of artificial electrochemical interphase using vacuum based deposition processes.
- Post processing of electrodes using wet-chemical and solvent-free routes.
- Physiochemical characterization of developed materials.
- Assembling the processed electrodes in battery and electrochemical characterization.
- Mechanistic investigations of the electrode materials using in situ and postmortem characterization.
The selected candidate will work at the EWI faculty in the Photovoltaic Material and Devices (PVMD) group of Electrical Sustainable Energy department , and in close collaboration with the storage of electrochemical energy group at the Department of Applied Sciences. The PVMD group focuses on fundamental research and characterization of innovative materials and devices. The PVMD group is part of the Electrical Sustainable Energy department which is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society.
About the department
The PVMD group is part of the research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:
- DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
- Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
- High Voltage Technologies (HVT)
The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns the large Electrical Sustainable Power (ESP) Laboratory with facilities for materials development, characterization, device fabrication, high voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and a large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring and protection.
Job requirements
Essentials:
- Hold an M.Sc. degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry with specific knowledge in electrochemistry.
- Manage time effectively and be a reliable team worker.
- Excellent academic track record.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills
Desirables:
- General knowledge about working with glove box, and clean room activities.
- Wet-chemical procedures.
- Dry deposition, nano-fabrication and doping procedures (PVD, CVD).
- Experience in battery research.
- Requirement: Excellent English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Minimum requirements apply to all candidates wanting to pursue a PhD at TU Delft (https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission).
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 Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.
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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Moumita Rana, Assistant Professor, via m.rana@tudelf.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply via the application button and upload the following documents:
1) Application letter addressed to dr. Moumita Rana that explains your personal motivation in pursuing a PhD and fit to the job requirements, (2) your curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of your publications, and (3) list of three academic and/or industry references that we can contact. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The deadline for applications is 14th September, 2025 at 23:59 CET. The candidates will be screened as the applications arrive and the promissing candidates will be shortlisted and contacted before the closing of this post.
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.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.