PhD Candidate in Electrochemistry

Marie Kristiansen; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 480,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate position in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The project, connected with the HYDROGENi centre, focuses on electrochemistry and the performance and degradation of electrocatalyst layers for alkaline electrolyte membrane water electrolysis.

The PhD is designed to culminate in a doctoral degree, with opportunities to work with a network of researchers and industry partners, participate in international schools, and

Qualifications

• You must have a professionally relevant background in experimental electrochemistry and nanotechnology.
• Master's degree with a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS).
• Strong academic record on NTNU's scale and English fluency.
• Experience with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a plus.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability and willingness to interact with students and supervise is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Perform experimental electrochemistry including voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy.
• Characterize degradation processes using in-situ methods and ICP-MS.
• Manufacture electrocatalyst layers and inks for testing.
• Carry out structural analyses: XRD, Raman, and microscopy.
• Analyze results and communicate with industry and research communities.
• Disseminate findings through seminars and conferences.
• Complete the doctoral education and mentor MSc students.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Nanotechnology

In-situ methods

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Materials Science or Physics

Tools

ICP-MS

X-ray diffraction

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41s

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the field of Electrochemistry. PhD candidates are expected to complete the degree of PhD within three or four (including teaching duties) years.

Electrochemistry is a truly interdisciplinary field drawing on chemistry, physics, materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology alike. Electrochemistry therefore offers unique possibilities for interesting scientific work and an exciting career. Electrochemistry is essential in current pursuit of the green transition and the establishing of a sustainable society, as it is critical to some pivotal technologies such as hydrogen technology (water electrolysis and fuel cells), and batteries. It is also critical to the manufacture of materials that go into a diverse set of technologies related to energy storage and renewables. The demand for staff with expertise in Electrochemistry is therefore soaring.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The available PhD position is affiliated with the research HYDROGENi centre for hydrogen technology ( https://hydrogeni.no/ ), one of several Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research funded by the Norwegian Research Council and major energy and industry companies. The HYDROGENi centre constitutes a strong team of research and industry partners and globally leading universities and research centres. The PhD student will participate in a network of PhD students and industrialists across disciplines and will participate in summer and winter schools organised by the centre in addition to the training offered by the PhD programme itself. The primary objective of the PhD work will be to establish analysis tools for performance and degradation of electrocatalyst layers for alkaline electrolyte membrane water electrolysis.

The PhD student will have access to state-of-the-art equipment for manufacture and in situ characterization of performance and degradation processes in electrocatalyst layers.

Duties of the position

• Experimental electrochemistry (voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear-sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and others, including in-situ methods)
• Characterization of degradation processes using in-situ ICP-MS and electrochemical methods (linear sweep voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and others)
• Manufacture electrocatalytic layers (preparation of inks, spraying, templating techniques)
• Structural and morphological characterization (X-ray diffraction, microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and others)
• Analysis of results
• Communicate with industry and the research community
• Scientific and technical reporting through regular dissemination channels, public dissemination through social media and other channels, and participation in international conferences and project meetings.
• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Participate in the research group and mentor master students

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in (experimental) electrochemistry and nanotechnology.
• Experience in cell assembly and operation of single cell test stations.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program ,see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in chemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, physics or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis.
• You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation.
• Fluent in written and oral English.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Experience in manufacture of electrocatalyst layers, MEAs and characterization of such.
• Experience in assembly of AEM water electrolysis cells.
• Experience in using single cell test stations.
• An ability and willingness to interact with students (teaching and supervision) students at all (five-year integrated) MSc levels will be considered an advantage.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian