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The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage invites applicants for a PhD position in nano suspension based redox flow batteries.

At DTU Energy we carry out R&D in energy conversion technologies for the future sustainable energy system. We are among the world’s leaders in research and development of electrolysis technology and in redox flow batteries. We have ex-cellent facilities and competences for fabrication, testing and characterization of such devices. DTU Energy has around 200 employees. 

We have recently won support for a new project from the Velux Foundations deal-ing with new materials for nano suspension based redox flow batteries.

The project will break with the established convention that the active ions/energy carriers must be dissolved in the electrolyte. Instead, a novel concept in which suspensions of solid nanoparticles (“nano‐suspension”) are circulated in the flow battery will be explored.

To realize such a battery, highly stabilized suspension of e.g. nano‐sized Fe2O3 and FePO4 will be synthesized by continuous hydrothermal synthesis. These solu-tions will be used to demonstrate that the particles in suspension can work as flow battery electrolytes. 

An energy storage technology combining the advantages of aqueous solid state batteries (high safety, sustainable materials, moderate to high energy density) with the advantages of a flow battery (independent scalability, decreasing costs with increased  capacity, the possibility of easy recycling and electrolyte replacement to extend lifetime) could have immense impact on the future energy storage.

Responsibilities and tasks
You will work on synthesizing iron based nanoparticles via continuous hydrother-mal synthesis and stabilization of the solution by the use of different surfactants. To guide the suspension formulation work rheological characterization will be ap-plied. The electrochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles will be investigated when immobilized on electrodes and in suspension, and suitable sus-pension formulations will be paired and tested in a redox flow battery. 

Hence, activities will cover the full range from material synthesis, suspension for-mulation, rheological and electrochemical characterization to assembly and charac-terization of fully functional redox flow cell units. 
You will be a member of the Solid State Chemistry section counting ca. 20 mem-bers, and work within the cross-disciplinary Technology Track for batteries.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a degree of  equivalent academic level. The degree should be in the field of  electro-chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics or similar. The candi-date is expected to start not later than April 2020.

We prefer applicants with: 

  • Strong skills in electrochemistry and electrochemical characterization methods
  • Strong skills in synthesis, preferably with experience in  continuous hydro-thermal synthesis
  • Experience with and/or a strong interest in rheology/colloidal chemistry;
  • Interest in applied research;
  • Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment;
  • Excellent writing and communication skills in English;

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the can-didate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For in-formation about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Researcher Wolff-Ragnar Kiebach and Professor Johan Hjelm.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university 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 envi-ronment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

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

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.  

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Wolff-Ragnar Kie-bach (woki@dtu.dk) or Professor Johan Hjelm (johh@dtu.dk). 

You can read more about DTU Energy on https://www.energy.dtu.dk/english
 
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 25 January 2020 (local time). Apply via the apply link.  

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

  • A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
  • Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

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

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