PhD position on electrochemical nanofluidics for energy research
How do charge and mass transport affect the effectiveness of advanced materials for the energy transition? Using microfabrication technology, you will fabricate model systems to study fundamental aspects of electrochemical processes under nanoscale confinement and explore novel concept to enhance them. Join our multidisciplinary team spanning two departments at the University of Twente for a cutting-edge research project!
Modern energy applications, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells and electrolyzers, usually rely on nanoporous, disordered materials through which molecules and ions must travel. This nanoconfinement induces a plethora of couplings between charge and fluid transport, in no small part due to the inherently high surface-to-volume ratio inherent to such structures. Disentangling these effects in realistic materials represents a formidable challenge which has so far remained largely unmet.
Using the excellent microfabrication facilities of the MESA+ Institute’s Nanolab, you will construct artificial nanofluidic systems to isolate, probe and manipulate new phenomena and behaviors under confinement. This includes for example electrochemical self-induced convection, an effect recently explored in our labs; creating positive feedback between electrocatalysis and ionics to improve performance; and harnessing gas evolution to enhance the transport of a reagent to a catalyst.
Join a multidisciplinary team attempting to unravel the fundamental principles underpinning the energy transition. The BioElectronics and Physics of Complex Fluids groups have extensive experience in nanoscale electrochemistry, charge and mass transport, and nanoscale probing This project is further embedded in the Advanced Nano-Electrochemistry Institute Of The Netherlands (ANION), a major Gravitation program bringing together the expertise of the top researchers in the field nationwide.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before January 19, 2025 and should include:
* A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.
* A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications.
* The names, affiliations and email addresses of three references.
* An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
We will review candidates until the position is filled.
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Prof. Serge Lemay (s.g.lemay@utwente.nl) or Prof. Frieder Mugele (f.mugele@utwente.nl).
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
