Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage (MECS)

Wilson Smith, Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering         Phone: +31 (0)15 27 82659
Julianalaan 136                                          Email: w.smith@tudelft.nl
2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands                 Website:cheme.tudelft.nl/mecs

Open PhD position in solar fuel production via artificial photosynthesis

The Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology invites applications for a PhD position in developing materials and characterization techniques to investigate semiconductor photoelectrodes decorated with oxygen and hydrogen evolution catalysts for solar water splitting.

Starting Date:  As soon as possible

Position:  The goal is this project is two-fold; (1) to fabricate and characterize novel hydrogen evolution catalysts made from earth abundant materials and (2) integrate highly efficient oxygen evolution catalysts to tandem water splitting devices.  This approach will aim to replace highly expensive catalysts such as Pt in photoelectrochemical cells with cheap earth abundant materials which can lower the cost of large scale water splitting devices.  The work will require knowledge of semiconductor physics, solid state physics, electrochemistry, and solar energy conversion.  The ultimate goal will be to use the above mentioned approaches to create a stand alone device which is capable of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with a high efficiency and low cost, in order to develop a renewable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Requirements:  A MSc in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering is required.  Candidates with strong backgrounds in electrochemistry and materials characterization and fabrication are expected for this position.

Application:  Interested candidates should send a completed application form including: (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) list of 2 references, and (4) copies of undergraduate and MSc transcripts.  Promising candidates will be invited to Delft for in-person interviews to present their research vision (paid by TU Delft, including for international applicants).

Host Institute:  Delft University of Technology is one of the leading technological school in Europe and the world.  The department of Chemical Engineering, where the work will be carried out, is an elite department that was recently ranked #10 in the world in the latest QS rankings.

To submit applications or request further information please contact:
Dr. Wilson Smith, w.smith@tudelft.nl