Postdoc Energy Researcher (QCF Fellowship program)

DIFFER offers a two-year postdoctoral research position enabled through the Quadrature Climate Fund (QCF) fellowship program. The QCF Fellowship is a unique, first-of-a-kind position where a talented individual will work freely on their own energy research project. The research project, is positioned in the Plasma Solar Fuels Devices group of the Chemical Energy department, and will be on the topic of plasma-driven chemical conversion of simple molecules such as CO2, N2/O2 and CH4, utilizing the state-of-the-art plasma facilities present in the group, such as microwave generated plasma’s and plasma-activated electrochemical reactors. In addition to the research, the Fellow will be asked to collaborate with QCF’s internal science team, supporting our evidence-based approach to climate philanthropy. This could involve giving running a research sprint on a topic related to the Fellow’s area of expertise, presenting results to the QCF team, pointers towards interesting scientific developments, and participating in working groups organised to design and test QCF’s strategies.

Responsibilities

• Use advanced plasma diagnostics to characterize the plasma chemical conversion process and to develop understanding of the complex mechanism at play.
• (Co-)supervise students at bachelor and master level.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.

PhD researcher Integrated modeling in tokamak fusion plasma core and edge

DIFFER is seeking to hire a PhD researcher (4 years) to work with the Integrated Modeling group at the institute in support of various in-house activities as well as in collaboration with external partners (EUROfusion, ITER, and other partners in fusion). Foreseen is to conduct dynamic integrated plasma core & edge simulations and the application of the JINTRAC flight simulator tool. JINTRAC consists a set of integrated code modules, a high-fidelity simulation suite, that is required to be validated for full tungsten (W) reactors like ITER.

A consistent JINTRAC model should be worked out and tested against present day devices with metal plasma-facing components (AUG, JET, etc). A “predict-first” attempt for W transport for the full-W wall machine JT60-SA (Japan) is also foreseen to challenge the newly developed model. In addition, and in support of the foreseen work, the neural network version of SOLPS-ITER, namely SOLPS-NN, is to be exploited as part of JINTRAC toolset to speed up full device higher-fidelity modelling activities. SOLPS-NN shall also be incorporated into the MUSCLE3 environment that will be used for the pulse design tool at ITER. A possible coupling of SOLPS-NN to TORAX code is also foreseen to exploit the possibility of a fully differential global model (towards a digital twin). The work on MUSCLE3 and TORAX will be pursued in collaboration with our partners Ignition Computing (Eindhoven) and Google DeepMind (London).

Group Leader in Automated Materials Synthesis and Characterization

The new group will capitalize on DIFFER’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including high-end materials synthesis facilities such as the VSParticle Nanoparticle Printer (VSP) and Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), as well as comprehensive material characterization tools (XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, XPS, etc.), to accelerate the discovery and optimization of materials for sustainable energy applications, essentially including electro-, thermo-, or plasma-driven energy carrier conversion.

The successful candidate will establish an internationally recognized research group dedicated to automated materials synthesis and characterization for sustainable energy. You will develop and lead a high-impact experimental program that exploits and expands DIFFER’s research facilities for rapid material fabrication and analysis. The Group Leader is expected to collaborate with colleagues to ensure that insights from data-driven techniques and lab automation are successfully implemented in optimization of experimental workflows for materials synthesis and characterization. These collaborative efforts will increase DIFFER’s capability to discover advanced materials for energy, aligning with our institute’s strategy.

We seek an exceptional experimental scientist with deep expertise in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of energy materials. The ideal candidate has a strong background in areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, thin films, or other advanced materials, with extensive experience in high-throughput or combinatorial experimentation and advanced materials characterization techniques.

Responsibilities:

• Lead an innovative research program in automated materials synthesis and characterization, developing new methodologies to rapidly create and evaluate materials for energy applications.
• Exploit and further develop DIFFER's materials synthesis platforms (VSP and PLD) to enable high-throughput screening and optimization of catalysts, electrodes, and other energy materials.
• Use advanced characterization methodologies (XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, XPS, etc.) and contribute to the design of new characterization workflows to achieve a comprehensive understanding of material structure–performance relationships.
• Apply insights from AI-driven discovery strategies developed by colleagues to design experiments and enhance the efficiency of the materials discovery process.
• Collaborate closely with lab automation scientists and engineers to integrate experimental results from synthesis and characterization techniques with real-time data analysis and adaptive planning, all within the self-driving lab framework.
• Secure external research funding through competitive grants and industrial partnerships to expand the capabilities and impact of the group’s research.
• Supervise PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and engineers, promoting scientific excellence and career development.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.

We seek an exceptional experimental scientist with deep expertise in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of energy materials. The ideal candidate has a strong background in areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, thin films, or other advanced materials, with extensive experience in high-throughput or combinatorial experimentation and advanced materials characterization techniques.

Group Leader in AI-Assisted Autonomous Experimentation

The new group will broadly leverage DIFFER's state-of-the-art infrastructure, including material synthesis platforms (VSParticle Nanoparticle Printer, Pulsed Laser Deposition), advanced analytical instrumentation (XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, XPS), and automated chemical characterization tools (electrochemical workstations, ICP-MS, GC-MS), to enable transformative advancements in autonomous materials discovery.

The successful candidate will lead the development of integrated frameworks for automating a variety of experimental workflows. You will focus on connecting relevant laboratory setups and experimental design with advanced AI-driven methods to enable automation in electro-, thermo-, or plasma-driven energy carrier conversion experiments.

The Group Leader is expected to create pioneering solutions to seamlessly integrate diverse laboratory equipment and robotics, establishing fully automated experimental workflows, and implementing AI-assisted adaptive experiment planning supported by real-time data analytics. This role involves collaboration with researchers and engineers for the design of robust, FAIR-compliant data infrastructures capable of handling large-scale, real-time experimental data. The Group Leader will also play a central role in translating insights from digital twin simulations, currently under development at DIFFER, into the design and optimization of real-world experimental workflows.

We seek an outstanding scientist or engineer experienced in building automated laboratories with integrated lab equipment and handling complex experimental workflows. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience integrating laboratory automation, machine learning-driven optimization, and high-throughput experimentation in materials science, chemistry, physics, or related fields, and has contributed to collaborative projects at the forefront of AI-assisted experimentation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the establishment and management of an integrated autonomous experimentation platform, combining advanced synthesis, material and chemical characterization equipment into a unified, automated system.
• Develop and implement AI-driven methodologies for autonomous, adaptive experimentation – including active learning algorithms and self-optimizing experimental workflows – ensuring effective integration across heterogeneous instruments.
• Contribute to the development of a robust data infrastructure adhering to FAIR data principles, enabling real-time data acquisition, analysis, and decision-making to accelerate discovery.
• Apply insights from digital twin simulations developed by colleagues to improve the design of physical laboratory setups and experimental workflows.
• Collaborate closely with materials scientists, chemists, and engineers to ensure effective integration of synthesis and characterization techniques, and AI tools into the self-driving lab framework.
• Secure external research funding through competitive grants and industrial partnerships to expand the capabilities and impact of the group’s research.
• Supervise PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and engineers, promoting scientific excellence and career development.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Allround Technician for its research facilities for fundamental energy research

As a technician, you will work alongside fellow technicians on DIFFER’s research facilities, particularly on Magnum-PSI, the institute's largest facility for fundamental research on materials that could be used in future fusion reactors. (For more information, see: https://www.differ.nl/facilities/magnum-psi). You will support the preparation and execution of physics experiments, working at the intersection of physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and control & data acquisition. This role will allow you to gain experience with a broad range of technical disciplines.
Your main tasks will include:

• Learning to independently and safely operate Magnum-PSI, including its diagnostic systems;
• Consulting with scientists and (guest) researchers and translating their research requirements into technical solutions and equipment configurations of Magnum-PSI;
• Preparing and conducting the scientific program on Magnum-PSI in cooperation with scientists and (guest) researchers;
• Collaborating with and supervising specialized technical colleagues (constructors, workshop technicians, electrical engineers, and software engineers) to develop high-quality technical designs and products for the research facilities;
• Configuring Magnum-PSI’s (optical) measurement systems, partially ensuring the quality of the collected data, and instructing students, PhD candidates, and guests on how to use these systems;
• Initiating, implementing, and testing improvements and (small) modifications to Magnum-PSI;
• Performing maintenance, repair, and assembly tasks on Magnum-PSI;
• Depending on your interests and expertise, contributing to other DIFFER research facilities.