Do you want to help develop innovative and environmentally friendly energy technologies for the future?

DTU Energy Conversion, the Section for Electro-Functional Materials is seeking highly motivated postdocs for the development of high performance thermoelectric materials, design and optimization of thermoelectric non-segmented and segmented modules for power generation.

Job description
1. Postdoc for development of thermoelectric materials and modules for space applications:
You will be part of a large international project funded by EU: “Nano-Carbons For Versatile Power Supply Modules”. This will offer a great opportunity to collaborate and interact with many international partners from both academia and industry. The main tasks will be to:

• Develop thermoelectric materials based-on state of the art intermetallic compounds, e.g. doped Bi2Te3, for space application. The research will focus on the effect of nanostructuring and nanoinclusions of nanocarbontubes (NCT) on the thermoelectric properties of the matrix materials.
• Design and optimize thermoelectric modules, which will be fabricated from these developed materials. The development of the modules in terms of conversion efficiency or power output will be optimized by considering the optimum geometry of TE elements. The module will then be tested for its performance and long-term stability.

2. Postdoc in design and degradation mechanisms of thermoelectric modules:
You will be actively involved in a large national project of “Center for Thermoelectric Energy Conversion” with partners from both universities and industry. The succesful candidate will have the opportunity to interact closely with TEGnology A/S, a dynamic and active company which develops thermoelectric generators for medium range temperature applications. The main tasks will be to:

• Understand and minimize the contact resistance in thermoelectric modules.
• Improve the efficiency of state of the art thermoelectric materials by segmentation. The selection of materials and the design will be guided by 1D and 3D numerical modeling, and module performance will be investigated both experimentally and theoretically.
• Characterize and study the long-term stability the thermoelectric modules. By correlating the experimental results with the modelling, the degradation mechanisms will be elucidated with a view to further improve the module performance.

Qualifications

• PhD degree or equivalent within materials science, physics, or similar
• a strong background in thermoelectrics and a good track record on material development.
• experience with design and optimization of thermoelectric modules
• experience with modeling of thermoelectric elements
• willingness and ability to interact with colleagues within both experiment and theory
• ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated tasks, and to be a part of a large, dynamical group
• good communication skills in English, both written and spoken

We offer
We offer an exciting and challenging job in an international environment.
Good possibilities for professional and personal growth.
A family friendly organisation with flexible working hours.

Terms of employment
The terms of employment will be in accordance with those of the scientific staff at DTU. Salary will depend on qualifications and experience. The position is for a fixed duration of 2 years.

The place of work will be at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde, Denmark.

Additional information about DTU and the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage can be found on http://www.ecs.dtu.dk/

Further information
Please contact Professor Nini Pryds, nipr@dtu.dk or Senior Researcher Ngo Van Nong, ngno@dtu.dk, for further information.

Application
We must have your online application by Tuesday 20 May 2014.

View the full posting at www.dtu.dk/job