Technical Project Manager

who will take charge of the management of the LiMeS-lab development project, in consultation with the scientific project leader of LiMeS-lab.

The main tasks of the LiMeS-lab technical project manager will be:

• To finalize the definition phase of the project.
• To manage the engineering design and realization of the LiMeS-lab facility devices.
• To set clear goals and deadlines within the available resources and make sure the project team functions effectively
• To manage the resources of the LiMeS-lab project, both human and financial.
• To provide input for progress and status reports to the main project stakeholders, including the project Steering Group, the DIFFER Management Team and NWO.

Master Student for Modeling Reaction Mechanisms for Water Splitting

Master Graduation Project student Modeling Reaction Mechanisms for Water Splitting

Hydrogen can be generated sustainably by splitting water molecules using sunlight in a photo-electrochemical cell (PEC). However, currently these cells are not yet able to achieve the efficiencies required for commercial use. In a PEC, two half-reactions occur: a reaction that generates hydrogen at the cathode, and a reaction that generates oxygen at the anode. The latter, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is commonly regarded as the performance limiting reaction. Technically, the OER occurs through a number of intermediate reaction steps, in which different intermediate chemical species are formed and consumed. Together, these reactions are called the reaction mechanism. The exact mechanism that occurs in the OER remains unclear, and it is likely that a number of competing reaction mechanisms occur simultaneously. In order to investigate the processes and variables that are involved in the OER reaction, we have developed a microkinetic model that is able to simulate the time-evolution of the intermediate species in the photo-electrochemical cell.

With this project we aim to understand which OER reaction mechanism takes place at the interface, by implementing different mechanisms in the existing model framework and comparing them. Optionally, the mechanisms are also compared with experimental data. This could lead us to improving the efficiency of the photo-electrochemical cell as a whole.

Postdoc Computational science for energy materials (X/F/M)

The Autonomous Energy Materials Discovery Research Group at DIFFER is looking to immediately fill a postdoctoral research position for a four-year term. The successful candidate will play a role in various computational research projects focused on materials and processes for chemical energy.

We are in search of an outstanding junior candidate for this position, who has recently completed their PhD in computational science. The ideal applicant will have a relevant record of scientific achievements and be prepared to engage in a research initiative focused on addressing scientific and technological challenges. The primary technical responsibility of the candidate will be to create and apply generative machine-learning models for the inverse design of nanomaterials used in electrochemical conversion.

This role offers the chance to work alongside a dynamic international team of researchers, contributing to sustainable energy advancements. Therefore, we value a readiness to work together with our industrial partners in turning technological innovations into commercially successful products.

Postdoc on the topic of hybrid feedback control for nuclear fusion

Postdoc on the topic of hybrid feedback control for nuclear fusion

We aim to develop the hybrid control1 approach necessary to control density profiles2 together with the exhaust3, particularly with hydrogen ice pellets, to optimize the fusion reactions, ; hence the efficiency of future fusion reactors. This project combines of fusion research and advanced control engineering.

The Postdoc will work on development and interfacing the exhaust and core controllers. Both are currently (individually) being developed within DIFFER. The main idea of integrating exhaust controllers with core controllers is to increase the performance of the exhaust controllers because disturbances originating from the core on the exhaust can be mitigated using core control. In addition, as the exhaust controller is mainly a safety controller (to protect the wall), communicating a predicted violation of a safety constraint arising from density and fusion power fluctuations will allow the hybrid core controller to take (additional) action, assuring the overall safety. As part of the project, the Postdoc is expected to interact, prepare, and execute experiments on the ASDEX-Upgrade tokamak situated in Germany in close collaboration with the IPP Max Planck team. The Postdoc will be part of the Energy Systems & Control group at DIFFER currently involved in several tokamaks including STEP, MAST-U, TCV, AUG, and DIII-D and will be embedded in the Control Systems Technology group (group Heemels) at the Eindhoven University of Technology.

1. Lunze, J. Fault diagnosis of discretely controlled continuous systems by means of discrete-event models. Discret. Event Dyn. Syst. 18, 181–210 (2008).
2. Bosman, T., Van Berkel, M. & De Baar, M. R. Model-based electron density profile estimation and control, applied to ITER. J. Phys. Commun. available online, (2021).
3. Koenders et al., Nuclear Fusion 63, 106007, (2023)

PhD on the topic of hybrid feedback control for nuclear fusion

PhD on the topic of hybrid feedback control for nuclear fusion

We aim to develop the hybrid control1 approach necessary to control density profiles2 together with the exhaust3, particularly with hydrogen ice pellets, to optimize the fusion reactions, ; hence the efficiency of future fusion reactors. This project combines of fusion research and advanced control engineering.

The PhD will work on development and interfacing the exhaust and core controllers. Both are currently (individually) being developed within DIFFER. The main idea of integrating exhaust controllers with core controllers is to increase the performance of the exhaust controllers because disturbances originating from the core on the exhaust can be mitigated using core control. In addition, as the exhaust controller is mainly a safety controller (to protect the wall), communicating a predicted violation of a safety constraint arising from density and fusion power fluctuations will allow the hybrid core controller to take (additional) action, assuring the overall safety. As part of the project, the PhD is expected to interact, prepare, and execute experiments on the ASDEX-Upgrade tokamak situated in Germany in close collaboration with the IPP Max Planck team. The PhD/PD will be part of the Energy Systems & Control group at DIFFER currently involved in several tokamaks including STEP, MAST-U, TCV, AUG, and DIII-D and will be embedded in the Control Systems Technology group (group Heemels) at the Eindhoven University of Technology.

1. Lunze, J. Fault diagnosis of discretely controlled continuous systems by means of discrete-event models. Discret. Event Dyn. Syst. 18, 181–210 (2008).
2. Bosman, T., Van Berkel, M. & De Baar, M. R. Model-based electron density profile estimation and control, applied to ITER. J. Phys. Commun. available online, (2021).
3. Koenders et al., Nuclear Fusion 63, 106007, (2023)