PhD scholarship in Development of Operation Strategies for Mitigating the Degradation of Solid Oxide Cells (SOC) - DTU Energy

As part of the Danish project “Road2X” aiming for development of cost competitive and reliable electrolysis technology for producing hydrogen via splitting of water/steam using green electricity. DTU Energy invites applications for a PhD scholarship in the development of operation strategies for mitigating the degradation of solid oxide cells (SOC).
The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applications for a PhD scholarship in the development of operation strategies for mitigating the degradation of solid oxide cells (SOC).

The position is part of a Danish project “Road2X” that targets identifying the solid oxide degradation mechanisms via advanced electrochemical characterisation and implementing strategies for mitigating the degradation.

Transforming our society to rely only on sustainable energy sources is a formidable engineering challenge. Key to success will be the development of cost competitive and reliable methods to produce hydrogen via electrolysis of water/steam driven by green electricity. The hydrogen can be used as a fuel in itself or serve as a reactant for the production of fuels like methanol, kerosene or even ammonia. Large scale and fast deployment of electrolysers is highly needed for the displacement of conventional fossil fuels. Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is one of several different electrolysis technologies, which holds merit in terms of high efficiency and potential to reach low cost. For SOEC to be cost competitive to other technologies, long lifetime of >5 years operation under high current operation conditions is desired. Operation conditions such as temperature, current density and content of impurities in the feed stream can have large influence on SOC performance and lifetime. Identifying the degradation mechanisms that are dominant under specific operation conditions is very important, not only for providing the “safe operation window”, but also for identifying counter strategies for mitigating degradation.

Responsibilities
As our new PhD student you will work on advanced electrochemical characterization of solid oxide cells (SOCs) under various operation conditions using current-voltage characteristics, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and other electrochemical characterisation techniques. Tests will be carried out in different operation modes, such as alternating between fuel cell and electrolyser mode, and applying different alternating current (AC) perturbations superimposed on the DC load-current, to reduce cell degradation.

Key tasks will be:

• Development/upgrading solid oxide cell test setups for advanced electrochemical characterisation.
• Testing of solid oxide cells under different operation conditions and analysing the effects of operation parameters on cell durability.
• Microstructure characterisation on tested cells and correlating microstructural changes to electrochemical test results.

You will work together in a team with colleagues working also on electrochemical and microstructural characterization of SOC’s.

As part of the PhD education, you will follow courses and assist in teaching activities, and:

• You are expected to spend at least 3 months at a foreign research institution
• You will disseminate your work in international peer reviewed journals and at professional conferences.

Qualifications
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Ideally you have a degree in materials science, chemistry or similar, and experience with one or more of the following areas:

• Fuel cells and electrolysis
• Electronics / power electronics, data-acquisition
• Materials characterization
• Electrochemistry

You will be a good fit in our team if you are innovative, responsible, has good communication skills in English and are able to combine working independently and in cross-disciplinary teams.

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
Your application will be assessed by Associate Professor Xiufu Sun, Professor Ming Chen and Professor Peter Vang Hendriksen.

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 November 2024 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from associate Professor Xiufu Sun ([email protected]). Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more DTU Energy at 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. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than than 31 July 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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications 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.

DTU Energy
The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage is focusing on functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technology. Our research areas include fuel cells, electrolysis, solar cells, magnetic materials, sustainable synthetic fuels, and batteries. The Department was founded in 2012 and has more than 250 employees. Additional info can be found on www.energy.dtu.dk.

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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