Postdoc in Prospective Life Cyle Impacts of Circular photovoltaics

As a postdoc at the Technology, Innovation Society Group at TU/e, you will develop and apply methods to fairly assess the environmental impacts of circular (and integrated) PV applications. The postdoc position is part of the Interreg project PV RESILIENCE. The aim of this project is to develop new technologies for locally produced, and circular solar electricity products while taking into account the needs of user, society and a circular economy.

Life cycle assessment is a widely accepted tool to assess and compare the environmental impacts of products and prospective LCA for emerging technologies is gaining traction at least in the academic world. However, methods are still lacking to suitably assess the environmental profile of circular PV, as current approaches rely on state of the art processes and assumptions or ignore end of life and secondary life cycles in general. Current methods also ignore quality demand of the materials and future alternatives or applications. In this job, you will combine prospective LCA with material flow modelling to develop scenarios and methods that can better guide technology development. These methods will be applied to the innovations developed by partners within the PV RESILIENCE projects. You will work closely together with the technology developers in companies and knowledge institutes the project to support their development process while also publishing in scientific journals on new methodological insights.

The Technology, Innovation, and Society group at Eindhoven University of Technology straddles natural science, social science and humanities disciplines and provides a stimulating and collaborative environment. The TIS group is part of the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS). Research at TIS concerns how humans and societies bring about technological change, and how technological innovations change society. With ~25 tenured staff and a large group of postdocs and PhD candidates, researchers in the TIS group try to bridge the engineering and social sciences in a systems perspective on sustainability transitions. The TIS staff teaches in the BSc program 'Sustainable Innovation', the MSc programs ‘Sustainable Energy Technologies’ and 'Innovation Management’, and in university-wide programs for engineers.

Postdoc in Prospective Life Cyle Impacts of Circular photovoltaics

Short introduction
Will you develop our next generation environmental impact assessment to make PV circular and more sustainable? Are you an expert in LCA modelling, and you want to make the energy transition more sustainable? You know current end of life approaches don’t capture future impacts? And you have an affinity to work with technology developers, but also an eye for social context? Then come and join Technology, Innovation Society (TIS) group to develop new LCA and MFA based impact assessment method and support regional PV developers to make their products more circular and sustainable!

Job Description
As a postdoc at the Technology, Innovation Society Group at TU/e, you will develop and apply methods to fairly assess the environmental impacts of circular (and integrated) PV applications. The postdoc position is part of the Interreg project PV RESILIENCE. The aim of this project is to develop new technologies for locally produced, and circular solar electricity products while taking into account the needs of user, society and a circular economy.

Life cycle assessment is a widely accepted tool to assess and compare the environmental impacts of products and prospective LCA for emerging technologies is gaining traction at least in the academic world. However, methods are still lacking to suitably assess the environmental profile of circular PV, as current approaches rely on state of the art processes and assumptions or ignore end of life and secondary life cycles in general. Current methods also ignore quality demand of the materials and future alternatives or applications. In this job, you will combine prospective LCA with material flow modelling to develop scenarios and methods that can better guide technology development. These methods will be applied to the innovations developed by partners within the PV RESILIENCE projects. You will work closely together with the technology developers in companies and knowledge institutes the project to support their development process while also publishing in scientific journals on new methodological insights.

The Technology, Innovation, and Society group at Eindhoven University of Technology straddles natural science, social science and humanities disciplines and provides a stimulating and collaborative environment. The TIS group is part of the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS). Research at TIS concerns how humans and societies bring about technological change, and how technological innovations change society. With ~25 tenured staff and a large group of postdocs and PhD candidates, researchers in the TIS group try to bridge the engineering and social sciences in a systems perspective on sustainability transitions. The TIS staff teaches in the BSc program 'Sustainable Innovation', the MSc programs ‘Sustainable Energy Technologies’ and 'Innovation Management’, and in university-wide programs for engineers.

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Environmental Science, Industrial Ecology, or a comparable domain. Well-motivated applications from candidates with a background in solar technology and proven affinity with sustainability and teaching will also be considered.
• Experience with prospective life cycle assessment and/or material flow analysis/dynamics stock flow modelling.
• Basic technical understanding and enjoying working with technology developers.
• Knowledge of or affinity with PV technology and circularity.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A team player who enjoys coaching PhD and Master's students and working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• A proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.
• Basic understanding of Dutch (written and oral) is an advantage.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• 80%/Full-time employment for 3 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 3,546 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility, if applicable) and a compensation for moving expenses.

Information and application

About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr Mara Hauck (m.hauck@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services (hrservices.ieis@tue.nl).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of two references.
• A digital copy or access information for your PhD Thesis (or published parts).

We look forward to receiving your application before September 21th. First round interviews will be scheduled Monday 29th of September (online).

PhD on Sustainable Polymers and Coatings for Low Temperature Fuel Cells

Introduction
Do you want to creatively design polymers and coatings for cutting-edge energy applications? Are you motivated by the challenge of advancing emission-free transport? Do you thrive in a multidisciplinary and international research environment?

Job Description
We are looking for a motivated and creative PhD candidate to join our team in developing next-generation polymers and coatings for low-temperature fuel cells. Today’s fuel cells rely heavily on fluorinated polymers—such as Nafion ionomers for proton conductivity or PTFE coatings for water management. However, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose severe environmental hazards and persist in ecosystems, making their replacement urgent and essential.

In this project, you will pioneer new strategies to replace conventional hydrophobic coatings and ionomers. Using advanced grafting techniques, you will explore a wide range of molecular groups to precisely tailor liquid repellency and proton conductivity on conductive surfaces. Alongside polymer synthesis, you will employ state-of-the-art characterization methods and test your materials in realistic fuel cell devices, in close collaboration with industrial partners.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine polymer chemistry, surface science, and electrochemistry to develop sustainable materials that can shape the future of clean energy.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplines. Experience with organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and/or surface science will be positively considered.
• We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher. Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.
• The project will involved collaboration with leading industrial partners.

An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us
Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory
The Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory (www.fornercuencaresearch.com) aims to accelerate the deployment of transformative energy technologies in the real world. To do so, we employ fundamental principles at the convergence of materials science, electrochemical engineering, and surface science to synthesize, characterize, simulate, and implement novel materials into next-generation electrochemical devices. Areas of application include large-scale energy storage with flow batteries, energy conversion through hydrogen fuel cell, and sustainable manufacturing with electrolysis.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Antoni Forner-Cuenca (e-mail: a.forner.cuenca@tue.nl, phone: +31 40 247 6258).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Medea Weertman, HR-advisor, m.weertman@tue.nl.

The PhD candidate will work in the Electrochemical Materials and Systems group. Further information about the Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory, see www.fornercuencaresearch.com.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• a motivation letter.
• a curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references).
• a list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

PhD on Sustainable Polymers and Coatings for Low Temperature Fuel Cells

We are looking for a motivated and creative PhD candidate to join our team in developing next-generation polymers and coatings for low-temperature fuel cells. Today’s fuel cells rely heavily on fluorinated polymers—such as Nafion ionomers for proton conductivity or PTFE coatings for water management. However, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose severe environmental hazards and persist in ecosystems, making their replacement urgent and essential.

In this project, you will pioneer new strategies to replace conventional hydrophobic coatings and ionomers. Using advanced grafting techniques, you will explore a wide range of molecular groups to precisely tailor liquid repellency and proton conductivity on conductive surfaces. Alongside polymer synthesis, you will employ state-of-the-art characterization methods and test your materials in realistic fuel cell devices, in close collaboration with industrial partners.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine polymer chemistry, surface science, and electrochemistry to develop sustainable materials that can shape the future of clean energy.

PhD on Computational Modelling of Porous Materials for Water Electrolyzers

Introduction
Do you want to help accelerate the energy transition? Are you excited about advancing green hydrogen technologies? Do you want to work in a multidisciplinary and international team?

Job Description
We are seeking a motivated and creative PhD candidate to join our team to develop next-generation porous transport layers (PTLs) and microporous layers (MPLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers (PEMWEs). The project will focus on building a multi-scale computational model to capture the complex transport of gases, liquids, and charges in these porous structures, including the complex interfaces between them. Insights from the model will directly guide the manufacturing and optimization of advanced PTL/MPL architectures, with the goal of improving efficiency, durability, and reducing precious-metal requirements.

This is a unique opportunity to combine modeling, simulation, and experimental validation while working at the forefront of electrochemical energy conversion and contributing to the global transition to green hydrogen.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines. Experience with modelling multiphase flows or electrochemical reactors is a plus.
• We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher. Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.
• The project will involved collaboration with a leading industrial partner.

An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us
Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory
The Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory (www.fornercuencaresearch.com) aims to accelerate the deployment of transformative energy technologies in the real world. To do so, we employ fundamental principles at the convergence of materials science, electrochemical engineering, and surface science to synthesize, characterize, simulate, and implement novel materials into next-generation electrochemical devices. Areas of application include large-scale energy storage with flow batteries, energy conversion through hydrogen fuel cell, and sustainable manufacturing with electrolysis.

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Antoni Forner-Cuenca (e-mail: a.forner.cuenca@tue.nl, phone: +31 40 247 6258).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact ms. Medea Weertman, HR-advisor, m.weertman@tue.nl.

The PhD candidate will work in the Electrochemical Materials and Systems group. Further information about the Electrochemical Materials and Systems Laboratory, see www.fornercuencaresearch.com.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• a motivation letter.
• a curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references).
• a list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.