Postdoc Bipolar Plate Corrosion and Protection Approaches in Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysers

Do you want to work on green hydrogen technology and electrolysers? We are looking for an enthusiastic Postdoc candidate to study the corrosion kinetics and mechanisms of bipolar plates.

Job description 

Together with the rest of the world, the Netherlands faces an immense climate challenge. Our fossil-based society and industry must be transformed. This requires green hydrogen as a pulling force for that transition. However, the technology for manufacturing sustainable hydrogen is not yet fully mature, leading to significant implementation risks and much higher costs than estimated. The HyPRO innovation project addresses key issues, including the prediction of performance degradation under realistic operating conditions.
 
The postdoc position is available within the HyPRO project and will focus on anion exchange membrane electrolysis. In particular, bipolar plate corrosion and protection approaches under strong alkaline conditions will be studied experimentally. The research will center on the study of the corrosion kinetics and mechanisms of bipolar plates consisting of steel-based alloys. In addition, coating and surface treatments will be explored and tested, and the research approach will combine electrochemical methods (e.g., PDP, EIS) and surface analysis (e.g., SEM-EDS, XPS).

As a postdoc, you will be part of a vibrant team of researchers and industry, with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The postdoc research will be coordinated by the Precision & Microsystems Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering Departments of TU Delft, which strive to conduct world-class research & education focusing on materials and systems technologies for sustainable development.

Job requirements

We are in search of a candidate with an academic background in Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, or Chemical Engineering, coupled with a demonstrated practical research experience in materials processing, materials characterization, and electrochemistry.
The candidate is expected to have a well-established scientific track record and should be capable of making substantive contributions to the field of energy materials through publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

The successful candidate should have:

• A doctoral degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of these categories: corrosion technology, electrochemical experimental analysis, and materials degradation.
• A research track record manifested through high-quality publications, as well as the ambition and capability to establish a leading research trajectory.
• A proven record and interest in further developing one’s experimental, modelling, analytical, and scientific writing skills.
• An affinity with teaching and guiding MSc students.
• Excellent command of English and communication skills.
• Well organized and excellent time management skills.
• The ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, take the initiative, and be results-oriented.

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 

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Ivan Buijnsters, Associate Professor, via j.g.buijnsters@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 20 Dec 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV (including publication list).
• Cover/motivation letter explaining your interest and your qualifications for this position, and how your skills match the requirements.
• MSc + PhD degree.
• Two selected publications.
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge).
• Contact details of two persons who can provide references.

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.