PhD in Energy storage in aqueous acid-base flow batteries

Introduction

Do you want to develop sustainable energy storage solutions for the future Do you want to use your curiosity technical knowledge and enthusiasm to contribute to the UN sustainability goals and create a sustainable world In our multidisciplinary research team we have a PhD vacancy in Energy storage in aqueous acid-base flow batteries.

Join our team in improving and designing in close cooperation with Aquabattery an affordable safe and sustainable long duration energy battery based on abundant materials. This innovative aqueous acid-base flow battery is awarded as being the most innovative battery concept by theEuropean Sustainable Energy Innovation Award 2025.

Job Description

Your project
In the years to come solar and wind will dominate global electricity production. But renewable energy supply is not constant - sunlight fades wind slows. To safeguard 24/7 energy availability and flexibility in generation and supply long duration energy storage systems are essential. This allows society to store excess renewable energy for hours days or even seasons and use it when needed. Long duration energy storage systems are crucial to build a fully sustainable society and make green power available whenever we need it.

Flow batteries store electricity in the form of chemical energy. The acid-base battery is a flow battery that stores excess energy in aqueous solutions of acid base and salt each kept in a separate tank. To store and generate power the solutions are pumped through a membrane stack. The membranes control the transport of ions. The power output depends on the membrane area while the storage capacity depends on the volume of the solutions giving flow batteries a high degree of flexibility.

The membranes used in acid-base flow batteries are ion exchange membranes and bipolar membranes. A bipolar membrane consists of an anion and a cation exchange membrane combined with an (organic) electro-catalyst forming a bipolar junction. When electricity is stored water splitting at the junction occurs. Oppositely when electricity is needed protons and hydroxyl ions recombine at the junction forming water. Within our research team you will work on the development of bipolar membranes for enhanced water splitting and recombination for energy storage using electrospinning thus contributing to the next generation acid-base flow cells.

Electrospinning is a nanofiber production technique to prepare hierarchical structures with highly tunable properties for specific separations. It uses an electrical voltage to generate fibers from a polymer solution that are collected as a fibrous mat. Preferably green solvents are used. Our research group has a worldwide unique triple electrospinner in which two different polymers (i.e. anion and cation exchange polymer) and a catalyst can be electrospun together simultaneously thus creating a fully intermingled bipolar junction in one step while offering a wide diversity of tunability for performance improvement.

Scalability is a leading principle in this framework: the concepts you develop must be easy to scale up to obtain large production volumes at high speed to guarantee large scale commercial application. For characterization and performance evaluation of the produced membranes you will use a wide variety of techniques and methods available in our state-of-the-art labs. Obviously membrane performance in acid-base flow battery systems both lab and pilot scale will be evaluated.

The research team
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13000 students and more than 7000 staff forming a diverse vibrant and highly international academic community. The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

You will perform your PhD research in a multidisciplinary research team. The research will be conducted in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the research group Membrane Materials and Processes (MM/P part of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e (The Netherlands). The research of the group is dedicated to the design development characterization and application of polymer membranes to control mass transport in sustainable processes. The research combines and integrates materials chemistry materials engineering and process technology. Application areas are water and energy with a strong focus on the storage ang generation of energy the recovery and reuse of resources and the valorization of waste streams. Next to fundamental academic research application-oriented research in close collaboration with the industry is stimulated.

The research will be performed in close collaboration with the industrial partner AquaBattery (). The research team is complemented with another PhD student working on electrode development for the acid-base flow battery and both PhD students will work closely together.

Job Requirements

• We are looking for a talented motivated and enthusiastic researcher
• Preferably candidates have a strong background and interest in both chemistry and chemical engineering with experience in electrochemistry physical chemistry and materials engineering.
• Candidates must have a scientific and research-oriented attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest in application-oriented research in collaboration with the industry
• Analytical skills initiative and creativity are valuable properties
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
• Excellent communication skills in English are a prerequisite (C1 level).
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit who like to work in an internationally oriented social environment.

An interview a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful green campus within walking distance of the central train addition we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme paid pregnancy and maternity leave partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities scale P (min. 3059 - max. 3881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure on-campus childrens day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13000 students and more than 7000 staff forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more Please contact the hiring manager . Kitty Nijmeijer .
Further information about the research group is available at (Membrane Materials and Processes).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Medea Weertman .

Curious to hear more about what its like as a PhD candidate at TU/e Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of BSc and MSc courses and grades

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.