PhD scholarship in Experimental and Computational based Optimization of Advanced Cells for Alkaline Electrolysis - DTU Energy

Do you crave to develop cheap, durable and high performing alkaline electrolysis cells with no or reduced amount of critical raw materials (CRM), to accelerate the large scale implementation of green hydrogen? Do you enjoy working in an international dynamic setting and wish to participate in a collaborative effort with TU\e? This PhD position could be for you.

Hydrogen has emerged as a clean, flexible energy carrier for use as industrial feedstock, in generating power and heat, and in transportation. Currently, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, specifically natural gas. A more sustainable approach for the production of hydrogen relies on the deployment of electrolysis technologies, due to their high efficiency and low environmental footprint. 

At DTU Energy, we have been carrying out R&D in sustainable energy conversion technologies and especially alkaline electrolysis cells for many years and we are among the world’s leaders in research and development in this area. We have excellent facilities and competences for fabrication, modeling, testing and characterization of such devices. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
The focus of this PhD project is to develop cheap, durable and high performing alkaline electrolysis cells (AEC). Alkaline electrolysis is the most mature and low cost amongst electrolysis technologies but requires a boost in performance and durability to further lower the price of green hydrogen to a level that can compete with fossil fuel derived hydrogen. Improving the electrode performance and durability will contribute greatly in this direction, and forms the main goal of this PhD project.

Your primary tasks will include: 

• Develop new electrode architectures and implement CRM free electrode materials to boost electrode performance
• Fabricate advanced electrodes using common processing techniques (casting, printing, coating, etc.)
• Characterize the performance and durability of the developed electrodes using advanced electrochemical testing and microscopic techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, EDS, XPS, etc.
• Develop accelerated stress test protocols to speed up the assessment of long-term durability
• Collaborate with other project partners to implement detailed theoretical descriptions of AEC and exploit computational insights in your development efforts
• Collaborate with other project partners to exploit novel electrode structures and innovative processing methods in your development efforts

Qualified applicants must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or similar, and be:

• highly motivated and enthusiastic about the research topic
• responsible, sincere, and forthcoming
• driven by challenges, forward looking, and pro-active
• able to work independently as well as within a team
• excited to be part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary group
• able to plan and carry out complicated tasks and to pursue parallel paths
• able to accommodate time boundaries imposed by the overall project goals
• good at communicating and reporting your work in both written and spoken English

Knowledge/experience on the subjects of fabrication and electrochemical characterization of porous electrodes and alkaline electrolysis cells is further advantageous.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Scientist Christodoulos Chatzichristodoulou (ccha@dtu.dk), Development Engineer Pradipkumar Manubhai Leuaa (pmale@dtu.dk) and by Head of Section and Professor Johan Hjelm (johh@dtu.dk). 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 1 February 2025 (or according to mutual agreement).