Jobs in Eletrochemistry
March 2022
PhD-Student / Scientist (f/m/d) Simulation of Gas Evolution in Electrolyzers
Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) / Institute of Fluid Dynamics in Dresden, Germany invites applications as PhD-Student / Scientist (f/m/d) Simulation of Gas Evolution in Electrolyzers. The position will be available from 1 May 2022. The employment contract is limited to three years. The deadline for Applications is March 31, 2022.
Tasks:
• Numerical simulation of multiphase flows in electrochemical energy devices
• Focus on growth/dynamics of gas bubbles in supersaturated solutions
• Development of advanced simulation tools
• Interaction with experimental groups and industry partner
• Opportunity to prepare a PhD thesis
Requirements:
• Master's or Diploma degree in Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or similar
• Experience in modeling multiphysics flow problems
• Coding experience (C, C++, script languages)
• Useful are experiences with OpenFOAM/basilisk/Comsol/CFX/Fluent
• Very good communication skills in English, of advantage would be communication skills in German
• Cooperating with project partners including industry
More details:
https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=490&pOid=65442&pContLang=en
February 2022
O2 and CO2 as sustainable energy sources: to boost the performances of hybrid nanomaterials by coupling electrocatalysis and plasmonics
The activation of O2 and CO2 through electrochemical reduction (ORR and CO2RR) is highly promising for developing sustainable and alternative energy conversion technologies. The electrochemical reduction of these abundant feedstock requires strong electrocatalysts in terms of i) efficiency, ii) selectivity and iii) durability.
We have recently demonstrated that metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Pt) functionalized wit a covalently-bound monolayer of molecular cavities exhibit better performances toward ORR and MOR as nanocatalysts, with, notably, better selectivity and durability. The immobilized organic ligands allow a tuning of the interfacial reactivity which has positive impact on the selectivity of the reaction while increasing the stability of the catalysts under operation (Adv. Mat. Interf. 2020 DOI 10.1002/admi.202001557,ChemElectroChem, 2020, DOI 10.1002/celc.202000132).
The goals of this PhD project will be to even enhance the efficiency and selectivity of the target reactions, namely comcerning the CO2RR reaction which is highly challengin nowadays. In addition to a specific design of the organic cavities inspired from metalloenzymes for the development of nanohybrid catalysts, we will also take benefit from the properties of the nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Cu) by coupling electrocatalysis with plasmonics. We will then evaluate the synergy of such an approach through a plasmon-mediated electrocatalysis (Adv. Mat. 2020, doi.org/10.1002/adma.202000086).
The research work will be run at Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes in the framework of a collaborative project funded by the french national research agency (project MARCEL, ANR 2021). The nanomaterials will be synthesized and characterized in the host laboratory by employing a combination of available techniques (IR, Raman, XPS spectroscopies, SEM, TEM, ATG, etc). The electrochemical performances will be evaluated by using the state-of-the-art techniques (RDE, RRDE) and electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Complementary techniques such as gas chromatography will help in the products identification. All facilities are available in the host laboratory.
Required skills
The recruited PhD will be in charge of the preparation, characterization of the hybrid nanoparticles and of the evaluation of their electrochemical performances toward ORR and CO2RR. The recruited PhD will analyze the data and will monitor bibliographic literature.
The applicant should complete or hold a Master’s degree. The candidate should be enthusiastic and has interest in at least one of the following fields: electrochemistry, physical chemistry of surfaces, synthesis and characterization of nano-objects.
Funding : 36-months contract from CNRS (french scientific research organism) with gross monthly salary of 2135 € (netto 1715 €).
Interested applicants are invited to send a CV and a letter of motivation before June, 15, 2022.
Contact
Corinne Lagrost [email protected]
Yann Leroux [email protected]
February 2022
Post-doctoral research position in Analytical Chemistry is for the manufacturing and development of low-cost integrated chemical sensors for application in the field
Summary
The Electronic Tongue and Chemical Sensor Laboratory at the Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP) – Brazil (https://www.iq.usp.br/trlcp/) are seeking to hire one post-doctoral researcher to work on a project entitled “Development of low-cost integrated chemical sensors for point-of-need applications.” The scholarship will be granted by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), and the research is linked to the Thematic Project “Integrated miniaturized chemical sensors: novel fabrication platforms for biological, health and environmental applications” (Grant Number # 2018/08782-1), whose coordinator is Prof. Mauro Bertotti. The position is for the Thiago Paixão’s Lab.
The selected candidate will conduct research involving the development of chemical sensors for later use in the field using a low-cost and scalable procedure. To improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the response of chemical sensors manufactured, strategies based on modifying the surface of the transducers will be employed, if necessary.
USP is the largest Brazilian public university (90.000 enrolled students) and is highly recognized for its fundamental role in advancing research (currently, USP is responsible for more than 20% of all scientific production in Brazil). USP comprises several campuses, and our laboratory is located in the campus of the city of São Paulo, which is the main port of entry to Brazil. FAPESP is an independent public foundation to foster research and the scientific and technological development of the State of São Paulo.
Needed skills and experience
We want to have a motivated and creative researcher capable of designing and carrying out experiments, presenting papers at meetings, and writing scientific articles. Candidates must submit academic competitiveness at an international level, attested by publications in journals indexed in the topics of interest to the research project. Advanced training in Analytical Chemistry focused on the fabrication of sensors using different techniques, including 3D printed devices and a combination of detection techniques, will be considered a significant differential. Experience with microscopic and macroscopic scale simulation of sensors operation will also be a differential, in addition to the possibility of printing via inkjet technique using DIMATIX series printers (Fujifilm: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en /about/region/affiliates/dimatix). The selected candidate is expected to help mentor undergraduate, graduate, and laboratory technicians as needed.
Contract Period and Project Start
The scholarship duration is 24 months. It can be extended for up 2 more years, depending on the evaluation of the work performed during the current period and the research plan for the extended period. The starting date for the successful candidate is flexible but is expected to start on April 1st, 2022.
Values and Conditions
1. Monthly grant (free of taxes) of R$ 7,373.10 (around U$ 1,228.00), plus 10% of the annual value for contingency expenses in items directly related to the research activity (Technical Reserve);
2. Financial support for travel and installation expenses may be requested for the selected applicant who lives out of São Paulo;
3. The candidate must have completed a Ph.D. not more than 5 years before starting the stipend.
Full details can be found at: http://www.fapesp.br/en/5427.
How to Apply
The submission deadline is March 14th, 2022, and interested candidates should apply exclusively by email ([email protected]), including "FAPESP post-doctoral fellowship" as subject, followed by his/her name. The applicant must include the following documents in a single PDF file):
1. Summarized CV (maximum 2 pages), including published papers attesting the competence to develop the project;
2. A text in English, with a maximum of 2 pages, describing the previous experience in the field and suggestions to make the research more innovative and challenging.
3. Two recommendation letters.
Selection
Screening of applications will start as soon as they are received. The selection will be made based on the CV of the candidates (experience in the area of research of the project and the quality of publications), motivation, and evaluation of the recommendation letter. A Skype interview may be required for some applicants during the selection process. Candidates will receive the list of applicants and the result of the selection process until March 31st, 2022, by email. The selected candidate must submit the necessary documents for the FAPESP scholarship application within 15 days of his/her approval.
February 2022
Applications are invited for the position of Postdoctoral research associate in the field of Plasmonic contributions to N2 and CO2 co-electrolysis.
This position is part of a project aimed at gaining a fundamental electrochemical insight supporting the rational catalyst design plasmonic contributions to N2 and CO2 co-electrolysis.
The major challenges in electrochemical ammonia synthesis are related to the low activity and selectivity of currently available electrocatalysts for N2 reduction. Therefore, significant improvements to cell materials, including electrocatalysts and electrolytes, would be needed to achieve those targets. Therefore, this is an encouraging aspect for addressing the challenge related to the urea synthesis via CO2 and N2 co-electrolysis. This topic is totally new in literature and just now has been reported with a faradaic efficiency of ca. 9%, and it will be final target of this project. Here, it is proposed the use of bimetallic and oxide nanoestructures developed in our laboratories together with ILs in order to investigate this very hot topic. The decoration of the nanoestructures with plasmonic materials is also planned to investigate the effect of surface plasmonics on these reactions.
Candidates skills required:
Electrochemical techniques
Electrocatalysis background
Characterization techniques: XPS, SEM, TEM, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD.
English level: Excellent rates in writing, listening, talking.
Documents required:
Complete CV with publications in the field.
Motivation letter
2 recommendation letters.
Availability for living in São Paulo city, Brasil.
Further information:
Start date: 1 April 2022
Please send your application until February 28th, 2022 to [email protected]
February 2022
Applications are invited for the position of Postdoctoral research associate in the field of batteries & supercaps.
This position is part of a project aimed at gaining a fundamental electrochemical insight of redox materials for electrochemical energy storage
The advent of nanotechnology enabled new electrode materials that flexibilization the limits between Electrochemical Capacitors and batteries. Whether it is a dual-layer electrochemical capacitor, be it a hybrid electrochemical capacitor, the use of nanostructured materials allowed these devices to achieve energy performance close to that of batteries.
In the present study, using electrochemical techniques, we will try to explore these limits between capacitors and batteries and to understand the origins of the electrochemical capacitance and behavior of the electrodes that make up the device. In this way, we will produce electrodes with good physical and electrochemical qualities and study their performance in ionic liquids that have been developed in the group with large electrochemical window and good transport property. Research will be carried out at the Institute of Chemistry of the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP), Brazil.
The need for high-power lithium-ion batteries and energy density leads to a safety-related problem due to problems related to the use of organic solvents typically used as electrolytes. It is known that ionic liquids (LIs) can be used as electrolytes because they are not flammable and have high thermal and electrochemical stability, however, it is necessary to have LIs with good transport properties that allow the easy diffusion of lithium.
=This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationality. The selected candidate will receive a Post-Doctoral fellowship from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in the amount of R$ 7,373.10 monthly and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 10% of the annual value of the fellowship which should be spent in items directly related to the research activity.
Candidates skills required:
Electrochemical techniques
Battery & Supercaps background
Characterization techniques: XPS, SEM, TEM, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD.
English level: Excellent rates in writing, listening, talking.
Documents required:
Complete CV with publications in the field.
Motivation letter
2 recommendation letters.
Availability for living in São Paulo city, Brasil.
Further information:
Start date: 1 April 2022
Please send your application until February 28th, 2022 to [email protected]r (Roberto M. Torresi)
February 2022
PhD Position, Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria:
Stability and efficiency of photoelectrochemical devices for solar water splitting
Your tasks:
This PhD work will explore mesoscale degradation of photoelectrochemical devices. An important part will be the synthesis of semiconducting metal oxide powders by solid state chemical methods and transfer them onto conductive substrates in order to fabricate photoanodes. He/she will characterize powders and electrodes by XRD, SEM, UV-vis and optical microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the photoanodes will be assessed by a broad set of photoelectrochemical characterization techniques like chronoamperometery, cyclovoltammetry etc. under varying conditions. Some of the characterization results will be acquired with the purpose to deliver input for device modelling in the frame of a collaborative project with two Swiss universities. The gained knowledge will be used to fabricate photoelectrodes with prolonged lifetime.
Your qualifications:
Master degree in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, materials science or similar
Strong background in laboratory skills
Expertise in solid-state characterization techniques (XRD, SEM etc.) and in electrochemistry
Team player and interest in taking part in an international project
Interest in energy materials and devices
Languages: German and English
Further information:
Got to: https://www.plus.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PhDS1_Ausschreibung_englisch-1.pdf
Start date: 1 May 2022
Please send your application until March 1 to [email protected]
January 2022
Applications are invited for the position of Postdoctoral research associate in the field of renewable energy storage.
This position is part of a project aimed at gaining a fundamental electrochemical insight supporting the rational catalyst design for renewable electricity storage.
This position is available at the J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry on March 1st, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate should hold a PhD degree (at the time of the project commencement) in Chemistry, Physics or Material science. Expertise in electrocatalysis and rational material design as well as previous postdoctoral experience is highly desirable; experience with X-ray absorption spectroscopy would also be advantageous. The person appointed will be expected to work in a collaborative team, including regular liaison with the collaborating groups in Denmark (University of Copenhagen), Germany (Ulm University) and USA (Northeastern University), and should have effective written and verbal communication skills in English.
Full details can be found here: https://www.jh-inst.cas.cz/recruitment/postdoctoral-researcher-renewable-energy-storage
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV, List of publications and Motivation letter to [email protected] .
Please, write in the subject line of your email SC2022_02.
Informal e-mail inquiries prior to making an application are welcome and should be addressed to Prof P.Krtil
January 2022
PhD topic on “Nanostructured electrode architecture for high efficiency Fuel Cells”
PhD position in in the group of Professor Philippe Vereecken at imec and the University of Leuven (KU-Leuven), Leuven, Belgium. (4-year period to be filled in asap).
Website: https://www.imec-int.com/en/energy-technologies/power-to-molecules-p2m
La tecnología de última generación de pilas de combustible de hidrógeno se basa en conjuntos de electrodos de membrana a base de carbono con recubrimientos de catalizador para la reacción de reducción de oxígeno (ORR) y la reacción de oxidación de hidrógeno (HOR). Recientemente, nuestro grupo ha establecido un proceso de fabricación de una nanomalla metálica tridimensional mediante la combinación de procesos de anodización y electrodeposición. Único en esta nanomalla es su área de superficie interna muy grande de alrededor de 30x por micra de espesor de malla combinada con una porosidad muy alta del 70-80 % que permite un fácil transporte de gases a través de las nanojaulas espaciadas regularmente. Además, la matriz de nanocables metálicos totalmente interconectados tiene baja resistencia en comparación con los colectores de corriente de carbono que reducen la caída óhmica. En este tema de doctorado, se diseñará un conjunto de electrodos de membrana o MEA basado en esta nanomalla para aumentar la eficiencia de la celda de combustible. Los electrodos delgados de unos pocos micrómetros ya brindan un área de superficie catalítica efectiva superior a 100x al mismo tiempo que tienen una excelente accesibilidad a los reactivos y productos. El MEA compacto conduce a celdas de combustible con alta densidad de energía y una baja carga de catalizador. Una investigación sistemática del transporte y el confinamiento de los productos de reacción en la nanomalla proporcionará los conocimientos necesarios para una mayor optimización de la arquitectura de la nanomalla para lograr el máximo rendimiento. Además, se investigarán las propiedades catalíticas de la propia nanomalla, p. ej., además de tener un material de nanomalla catalítica, los recubrimientos de película fina 2D se comportarán de forma intrínsecamente diferente a los colectores de corriente decorados con nanopartículas. Se cree que la nanomalla catalítica es más duradera que los colectores de corriente decorados con nanopartículas. Finalmente, se abordarán el acoplamiento iónico y el transporte de iones dentro de las arquitecturas de nanomallas. Se espera que este nuevo diseño radical de electrodos electrocatalíticos mejore el rendimiento de los electrodos de difusión de gas para pilas de combustible y otros dispositivos electroquímicos basados en vapor.
Esta posición de doctorado es parte del proyecto BE-HyFE, una red de capacitación con 16 investigadores de doctorado que trabajan en tecnología de hidrógeno en universidades e institutos de investigación belgas. El diseño, desarrollo, fabricación y caracterización electroquímica de los materiales se realizará en imec. Este proyecto específico se realizará en colaboración con la Universidad de Lieja, donde se utilizarán bancos de prueba PEM-FC para caracterizar los MEA completos. Cada año se organizarán varias capacitaciones y talleres para los estudiantes de doctorado y sus asesores dentro de la red de capacitación.
( https://mobile.twitter.com/behyfe ).
Dirija sus consultas y solicitudes al Prof. Dr. Philippe Vereecken ( [email protected] ) y al Dr. Rico Rupp ( [email protected] ).
enero 2022
Se invita a los investigadores posdoctorales a unirse al grupo del Prof. Shoji Hall en el Departamento de Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales de la Universidad Johns Hopkins. La investigación en el laboratorio de Hall se centra en abordar los problemas de almacenamiento y conversión de energía renovable mediante el desarrollo de electrocatalizadores nanoestructurados y el control de la dinámica interfacial en las interfaces de solución de metal electrificado.
Para obtener más información, visite: engineering.jhu.edu/hall
Los proyectos potenciales en estas direcciones incluyen:
• Desarrollo de materiales intermetálicos ordenados nanoestructurados con morfología controlada a bajas temperaturas mediante síntesis electroquímica.
• Desarrollo de métodos para formar enlaces CC por desprotonación electroquímica de moléculas con enlaces CH.
• Modular el transporte de agua (u otro donante de protones relevante) a interfaces de solución de metal electrificado para controlar la selectividad de la reacción.
Se espera que los solicitantes tengan un doctorado en un campo relacionado, como ciencia e ingeniería de materiales, química o ingeniería química. Los solicitantes deben enviar un correo electrónico al Prof. Hall a [email protected]