Postdoc in improved solid oxide electrolysis cells - DTU Energy

Postdoc to support development of improved solid oxide electrolysis cells. The work will focus on developing superior oxygen electrodes and methods to elucidate the losses associated with this electrode on full cells.
If you are looking for a challenging task related to the green transition of the energy sector, here is a great opportunity. We are seeking a Postdoc to strengthen our research and development activities on improving solid oxide electrolysis cells. In focus will be the oxygen electrode of the cell and the interconnect plates, which are used as auxiliary components when stacking individual cells. The overall aim is to improve durability of both components and in addition to develop improved methodologies to describe their performance.

Transforming our society to rely only on sustainable energy sources is a massive challenge. Key to success will be development of cost competitive routes to produce hydrogen via electrolysis of water/steam driven by green electricity. The hydrogen has value in itself, but may, importantly, also serve as a reactant for production of ammonia, methanol or other valuable chemicals, that can serve as “energy vectors” enabling emission reduction from “hard to electrify” sectors like global shipping. Hence, cost competitive routes to “green hydrogen” and “green fuels”, not relying on use of natural gas, is in high demand.

It is highly desirable to lower the operation temperature of the technology to allow longer operational life. To realize such a temperature reduction, one needs improved electrodes for the oxygen evolution reaction occurring at the cell anode. In defining the optimal temperature of operation, it is further important to consider the interconnect-plates applied when stacking multiple cells to build electrolysis modules. The corrosion rate, that dictates the life-time of the interconnect, decreases with decreasing temperature. However, at a certain temperature, the diffusion of Cr in the alloy may become too slow to re-form a protective scale at the surface and hence the interconnect becomes prone to so-called break-away corrosion which will lead to overall failure of the stack.

We need to strengthen our efforts both on the development of superior oxygen electrodes for low temperature operation and on developing strategies to ensure interconnect life-time at reduced temperature.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The successful candidates will work on making and characterising new materials for the oxygen evolution reaction, on characterising electrode performance, and on characterising interconnect corrosion under various conditions. Also, the interaction between interconnects and oxygen electrode will be studied.

Key tasks include:

• Synthesis of candidate materials and manufacture of oxygen electrodes by spraying or printing processes
• Detailed electrochemical characterisation of electrode performance.
• Carrying out experiments on tailor made electrode/cell-geometries that enables assessment of surface composition during operation (via e.g. Raman or XPS).
• Manufacture of interconnect coatings and investigation of corrosion rates.
• Detailed studies of the oxygen electrode reaction when exposed to emissions from coated interconnector plates.

You will collaborate with colleagues in the section for Solid State Electrochemistry for advanced characterisation and with colleagues from Applied Ceramics and Processing for the making of the electrodes and coatings.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Experience/qualifications in one or more of the following areas are advantageous:

• Synthesis of oxide ceramics
• Electrochemistry
• Testing of electrochemical cells
• Corrosion
• Materials characterization by XRD, electron microscopy, XPS, EDS,…

We expect you to be able to work independently as well as in a team, and that you have good communication skills in English.

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 terms of employment
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 2 years. The starting date will be decided after mutual agreement. A start around Nov. 2024 is targeted.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Peter Vang Hendriksen ([email protected])

You can read more about DTU Energy at https://www.energy.dtu.dk/

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 August 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Energy is focusing on functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technology. Our research areas include fuel cells, electrolysis, solar cells, and batteries as well as advanced filtration devices. We are ca. 250 employees organized in seven sections and three teams.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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