Postdoc Bipolar Membrane Development for Acid-Base Flow Battery Systems

Descrizione

Postdoc Bipolar Membrane Development for Acid-Base Flow Battery Systems Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): L'ente TU Delft, situato nei Paesi Bassi, cerca un ricercatore post-dottorato per lo sviluppo di membrane bipolari per sistemi di batterie a flusso acido-base. Il candidato ideale deve possedere un dottorato in ingegneria chimica o chimica applicata e avere esperienza comprovata nel lavoro con membrane bipolari e nanostrutture. Le principali mansioni includono lo sviluppo di nuovi materiali e configurazioni per migliorare le prestazioni delle membrane, oltre all'analisi delle direzioni per il miglioramento. È richiesta una buona capacità di pubblicazione e una mentalità proattiva e creativa. La conoscenza dell'inglese è fondamentale, mentre la conoscenza del neerlandese è considerata un plus. La posizione prevede anche l'insegnamento a studenti in corsi correlati alla ricerca. Job description Energy storage is an indispensable factor for bridging the electricity consumption with the intermittent renewable energy supply. Electricity grids face significant challenges in balancing economic growth with sustainability targets. Rapid electrification across industrial, transport, commercial, and residential sectors strains existing grid infrastructure, leading to congestion and transmission bottlenecks. These issues limit the integration of renewable energy. Long-duration energy storage (LDES), that provide 8+ hours of storage, can balance intermittent production and demand, thereby stabilizing the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and ensuring more effective use of renewable energy. TenneT expects 4.9 GW of large-scale battery storage is required in The Netherlands by 2030, while there was only 0.14 GW installed in 2023. Hence, a rapid scale-up of LDES is needed. In that light, we started a collaborative project, with universities (TU Delft, UTwente, TU/Eindhoven, HAN) and companies (AQUABATTERY, Elestor, Exergy Storage, RWE, Nobian), to develop batteries for long-duration energy storage. Specifically, this postdoc position focuses on acid-base flow batteries, and more specifically the stack engineering in this system. Acid-base flow batteries are based on dissociating water into acid and base during charging, using bipolar membranes, and recombining acid and base in this membrane to retrieve electrical energy. We’re looking for an excellent postdoc, with strong membrane development skills, to study development of bipolar membranes for acid-base flow batteries. In close collaboration with researchers at TU/Eindhoven and AQUABATTERY, we'll develop new bipolar membranes with high water dissociation efficiency, low resistance, and high selectivity. You'll develop new materials and new configurations to improve the membrane performance, and you'll analyze the directions for improvement. You'll also study possible other membrane-related aspects and other applications for the same materials. Part of the job is to educate students in courses related to the research. In case you're interested in working with flow batteries for long-duration energy storage, and not particularly in bipolar membrane development, please feel free to also look at other vacancies posted at the same time in the framework of the REDOX BLEND project. Job requirements We’re looking for a candidate with: A PhD degree, in chemical engineering or applied chemistry Proven experience in working with bipolar membranes Proven experience in nanostructures and catalytic membranes An excellent publication record Pro-active and creative mind-set Fluent in English. Speaking Dutch is a plus Starting date October 2026 TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward. Faculty Applied Sciences With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).