Postdoc Position on Multiphysics Modelling and Electrochemical Testing of Na-salt Battery

Postdoc Position on Multiphysics Modelling and Electrochemical Testing of Na-salt Battery

University of Twente - Faculty of Science & Technology

Enschede, Netherlands

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to design and scale up a low-cost, safe and high energy density (up to ~100 Wh/kg cell-level) long-duration battery.

As part of the 30 Mio € SLDBattproject, we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to design and scale up a low-cost, safe and high energy density (up to 100 Wh/kg cell-level) long-duration battery (8+ hrs of storage) using sodium chloride and (recycled) aluminum with a NaAlCl4 electrolyte. You will work very closely with Exergy Storage, the battery developer, and another postdoctoral researcher in the PCS research group, to investigate the limiting physico-chemical phenomena inside the battery and propose design and operational strategies to overcome them. A core feature of your work will be combining multiphysics modelling for cell design with electrochemical testing, e.g. charge-discharge cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, for model parametrization and validation. By leveraging this combined experimental and modelling approach, we aim to unlock innovations allowing for cell capacities up to 4 kWh and discharge durations of up to 100 hours.

Your profile

• You have a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, applied physics or a related field.
• You have a strong track-record and experience in physics-based modelling of batteries.
• You have experience coding in C++/Python/Julia and/or using software such as COMSOL Multiphysics.
• You have experience and/or willing to learn hands-on cell testing via electrochemical characterisation (i-V, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and analytical techniques (SEM-EDX, XRD, IR, Raman).
• You are self-driven and able to work independently but also happy to contribute to a team effort in an enthusiastic group of scientists and engineers working on a common theme.
• You are willing to mentor PhD, Master and Bachelor researchers in the group and help out with group responsibilities.
• You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with external parties from academia and industry in regular meetings and work visits.