RISO-PhD student position – High temperature alkaline electrolyser cells

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

Electrochemical cells have the potential to play a crucial role in the energy sector of a sustainable society in electricity generation (as fuel cells) and in hydrogen production (as electrolysers). The Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division at Risø National Laboratory, Technical University of Denmark, is developing new cell types as well as studying fundamental aspects of electrochemical cells for energy conversion. The aim is to significantly extend our understanding of the materials limitations which currently impede a widespread commercialization of the technology.

The project
The PhD project is a part of a larger Danish R&D project on alkaline electrolyser cell with partners from industry and other institutes. The objective of the PhD study is to identify the potential for improving the efficiency and decreasing the costs associated with alkaline electrolysis of water to hydrogen by increasing the operation pressure and temperature of the electrolyser. New improved (more efficient and more stable) electrode materials will be investigated as a possibility for both improving the efficiency and decreasing the costs. The specific experimental activities during the PhD study will be the construction of a test set-up for the electrochemical characterization of electrodes and cells of the alkaline type. Subsequently, durability test will be performed. The electrodes will be characterized using electron microscopy both as fabricated and post mortem in order to find the degradation mechanisms.

Qualifications

education as an engineer, physicist or chemist
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.

Terms of employment
The place of employment will be the Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division at Risø DTU in Roskilde. The terms of employment will be in accordance with those of scientific staff at Danish universities. The PhD stipend has a fixed duration of 3 years.

Application
We must have your online application in English by 1 March 2009. Please open the link apply online and enclose the following documents:

CV
Bachelor and master diploma (if applicable)
Transcript of your grades. Please make a translation of your grades into a scale of 0–100 %. Your weighted average should be 77% or above
References
Further information
For further information please contact research professor Mogens Mogensen, +45 4677 5726.

You may read more about Risø and the Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division atwww.risoe.dtu.dk.