The section for Fundamental Electrochemistry (FEC) in the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is seeking a candidate for a PhD position as part of ECoProbe – Visualizing Energy Conversion Pathways, a Danish Research Council project on in-operando probing of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and electrolysis cells (SOECs).

The PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Stanford University (California - USA) who are at the forefront of synchrotron based in situ X-ray spectroscopic characterization of electrochemical devices.

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) will play an important role in future efficient and environmentally friendly energy systems if a better long term performance of the cells can be achieved. Currently, structural and compositional changes occurring during cell operation lead to deactivation. Mechanistic understanding of the deactivation processes is hampered due to lack of available methods for in situ characterization of operating cells with nano-scale spatial resolution. The aim of this PhD position is to set the scientific basis that will help fill this knowledge gap.

Project aims
The aim of ECoProbe is to perform in-operando localized probing of SOFCs and SOECs with unprecedented spatial resolution using our novel unique instrumentation for controlled atmosphere high temperature atomic force microscopy (CAHT-AFM) and by combining it with synchrotron based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) for the first time.

This synergistic methodological approach will provide 1) direct probing of the local electric potential distribution and 2) mapping of the microstructure and surface chemical composition in operating SOCs that will allow us to unravel the complex electrode processes and degradation mechanisms observed in today’s SOCs.

Job description
As a PhD student at DTU Energy Conversion you will be part of the section for Fundamental Electrochemistry (FEC), but also interacting regularly with other researchers within the Department and researchers at Stanford University. The PhD position has a multidisciplinary nature and thus you will need to draw on the knowledge of several experts to reach the project aims.

You will be primarily engaged with carrying out in-operando CAHT-AFM and AP-XPS on model SOEC and SOFC, with the aim to establish a quantification procedure for the local electric potential and overpotential from the CAHT-AFM Kelvin probe signal and to promote our understanding of the O₂ reaction mechanism in perovskite-based SOC electrodes. Appropriate design and fabrication of the model systems forms also part of the PhD project.

Qualifications

• Master degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or similar.
• Experience with experimental laboratory work, for instance electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and solid state high temperature electrochemistry is preferable.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated tasks, to perform delicate hands-on experimental work as well as theoretical based data analysis and for self-motivation in scientific research
• Ability to collaborate within a multi-national, multi-partner network and to be part of a dynamical multi-disciplinary group

We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment.

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.

The department of DTU Energy Conversion is among the world’s leaders in the research and development of SOFCs and SOECs, with cutting edge facilities and competences for fabrication, testing and characterisation of SOCs.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the PhD guide.

Salary and appointment terms
Salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students in Denmark.

The period of employment is 3 years and the place of work is at DTU Energy Conversion on Risø Campus, Roskilde.

The start date is 1 January 2015 but can be negotiated within a small time margin.

Further Information
Applicants are welcome to contact the project supervisors Dr. Johan Hjelm johh@dtu.dk and Dr. Christodoulos Chatzichristodoulou ccha@dtu.dk for further information.

More information