PhD Position Formulating the Route Towards Sustainable Sodium Sulfur Batteries

Job description

In collaboration with the Climate Safety & Security centre (CaSS) and the Faculty of Applied Sciences, we invite applications for a PhD position focusing on the development of sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries as a sustainable, EU-based alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The research focuses on stationary energy storage applications aimed to mitigating the mismatch between supply and demand of sustainable energy sources.

This project addresses key aspects of this multidisciplinary challenge by, on the one hand, identifying and experimentally exploring the most promising Na-S battery concepts, and, on the other hand, mapping of the potential greenhouse gas emissions, ecological impact, and societal aspects - including safety and strategic autonomy- when deployed at scale within Europe. By considering both the battery material design route and the sustainability aspect of realizing this technology at scale within Europe, this project aims to provide key insights and a roadmap for the technology.

The PhD student will have a multidisciplinary journey, in which promising Na-S battery concepts will be prepared in the lab and evaluated using electrochemical testing and characterization methods such as XPS, XRD, SEM and solid state NMR. This requires that the candidate preferably has prior experience in:

1. Hands-on synthesis of inorganic materials
2. Electrochemical testing
3. One or more of characterization techniques mentioned above

In parallel, the PhD student will map material flows and assess the environmental and criticality implications of Na-S battery production at scale within Europe. This involves material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of sodium and sulfur extraction routes and battery manufacturing steps, covering greenhouse gas emissions, ecological impacts, and the supply criticality of key materials. The aim is to identify environmental hotspots and potential supply chain vulnerabilities, and to assess how different material choices and production routes affect the overall sustainability and strategic profile of the technology. The estimated time devision between the labwork and the environmental and criticality assessment is expected to be roughtly 50%/50%.

You will work with leading researchers in materials science, electrochemistry, battery technology, and industrial ecology, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable energy storage. If you are driven by curiosity, eager to work with cutting-edge experimental techniques, if you are interested in both the chemistry of energy storage and the systems-level analysis of its environmental implications, we encourage you to apply.

This PhD position is part of the interdisciplinary Climate Safety & Security centre (CaSS) at TU Delft | Campus The Hague. This centre conducts research on fair access to fundamental human needs - water, food and energy - and their crucial enablers: infrastructures and materials. Our goal is to contribute to a safe and secure future society by connecting insights from engineering, design and governance. The PhD-student will contribute to the Energy Security flagship within CaSS. The successful candidate will work 1 day/week at TU Delft | Campus The Hague and will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from across TU Delft, as well as policy makers from (national) governments and (inter)national organisations in The Hague and beyond.

For more information on CaSS.

Job requirements
Master’s degree in (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Ecology or a closely related field with prior experience in preferably all of the following

1. Synthesis of inorganic materials, including experience with electrochemical testing
2. Preferably experience with the characterization using NMR, XPS and XRD
3. Strong interest in sustainability and critical raw materials
4. Preferably experience with industrial ecology-related sustainability tools, such as life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, and/or other related methods.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Postdoc Position: Cosmic Ray Detection at the Square Kilometre Array

You will be part of a dynamic, internationally connected team at Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands), embedded within the SKA High Energy Cosmic Particles Science Working Group and collaborating with leading institutions across Europe and Australia. The work spans the full arc of experimental physics: from instrument commissioning and calibration to data analysis, with direct implications for our understanding of the most extreme astrophysical environments in the universe.

As the first postdoctoral researcher on the ERC funded SKA-CR project, you will take a leading role in designing particle detectors that will be installed at the SKA to facilitate cosmic ray detection. You will lead a feasibility study investigating whether the detectors can be used to distinguish between muons and electrons in cosmic-ray air showers, a capability critical to constraining hadronic interaction models that are currently one of the major sources of uncertainty in the field. Using Geant4 and CORSIKA simulations, you will characterise the signals produced by each particle type in the scintillator detectors and assess whether the high-frequency SKA electronics (sampling at 800 MSPS) can preserve enough information to enable this novel separation technique. The outcome of this study will directly determine the design path for the particle detector upgrade, and you will work with the PI and a dedicated technician to implement the chosen solution before detector deployment.

You will also have an opportunity to contribute to the development of the SKA radio data pipeline for cosmic-ray detection, building on established techniques from the LOFAR cosmic-ray programme and the open-source NuRadioReco framework. The pipeline you develop will be the backbone of all subsequent scientific analyses on the project, and you will supervise and mentor a PhD candidate working alongside you on complementary aspects of this effort. This is a uniquely broad role that combines software development, detector physics and observatory coordination, and you will be expected to present results regularly at major international conferences and contribute to high-profile publications.

Postdoc Atomistic Insights into Carburization, Wetting and Graphitization of Carbonaceous Materials

Job description

At TU Delft, you will contribute to a transformative national initiative: “Groeien met Groen Staal (GGS)” programme. The project aims to advance green steel production via hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H-DRI). Within this ambitious project, you will focus on the atomistic mechanisms governing carburization, wetting and catalytic graphitization of carbonaceous materials. Using advanced atomistic modelling techniques, you will unravel iron-carbon interactions at the electronic and atomic scale delivering insights directly relevant to the sustainable steelmaking route.

Team Dey within the Computational Materials Science section at TU Delft is actively involved in Theme II: Production within the GGS programme. This initiative pushes beyond current state-of-the-art technologies, exploring alternatives to conventional blast furnace (BF) and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) routes. A promising pathway combines hydrogen-based direct reduction (DR) with reduced electric furnace technologies (REF) and the BOF. Within this context, this position focuses on understanding the atomistic mechanisms that underpin these processes, providing fundamental insights into carbon behaviour, interfacial interactions and material transformations that are essential for optimising next-generation steelmaking routes.

Where experimental work within the project focuses on process development and validation, this position addresses the underlying governing atomistic mechanisms. A critical factor in the REF route is the role of carbon, particularly in relation to graphitization, wetting behaviour and interfacial interactions. Understanding these processes at the atomistic level is essential to control carburization and the melting phenomena. Your work will provide the theoretical foundation that supports and complements experimental efforts within the GGS programme.

Your responsibilities
In this role, you will develop fundamental insights into the atomistic mechanisms governing carburization, wetting and graphitization of carbonaceous materials in relation to H-DRI. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

1. Perform atomistic simulations to obtain insights into the electronic structure of carbonaceous materials
2. Perform atomistic simulations to study the graphitization mechanisms of carbonaceous materials
3. Perform atomistic simulations to investigate carburization and the wetting behaviour at carbon–iron interfaces
4. Collaborate closely with researchers within department MSE, the GGS programme and Tata Steel Netherlands to connect modelling insights with process development
5. Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and the development of new research proposals in the field of green steel

Your work environment
You will be part of Team Dey within the Computational Materials Science section at TU Delft. This team focuses on atomistic simulations to investigate materials for sustainable energy, with proven expertise in hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen storage and the behaviour of carbon-based materials such as graphene. Your project on the atomistic mechanisms of carburization, wetting and graphitization aligns with the team's broader interest in metal–carbon interactions and its commitment to computation-guided design for green technologies including steel production.

You will collaborate closely with researchers from the GGS programme, including experimental teams and partners such as Tata Steel Netherlands. The Computational Materials Science section offers a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, where researchers work across disciplines and scales, with ample opportunities for scientific development and impact.

Job requirements
We are looking for a self-motivated researcher to help develop new technologies for green steel production. You are independent but also a good team player and are willing to cooperate closely with other researchers and our industry partners.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• You have sound knowledge in interfacial reactions phenomena. Prior knowledge in pyrometallurgical fundamentals (including thermodynamics and reaction kinetics) as well as in ironmaking and steelmaking technologies is a bonus.
• You have a strong expertise in atomistic and molecular simulation techniques (density functional theory, molecular dynamics, ab initio molecular dynamics), including experience with development of machine learning interatomic potentials, and can apply these to elucidate mechanisms governing wetting behavior, carburization and the mechanistic pathways of graphitization in carbon-based materials.
• You have a strong track record in scientific research, as evident from publications in peer-reviewed international journals and conference participation.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Join this unique programme, where you can apply your technical knowledge to a project with Tata Steel Netherlands. Imagine designing new processes more sustainable and (cost-)efficient and improving the recyclability of steel. You can help make an impact on society!

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Postdoc Researcher on Carburization and Melting Mechanism of H-DRI During REF Process

Job description

At TU Delft, you will contribute to a transformative national initiative: the “Groeien met Groen Staal (GGS)” programme. Within this ambitious project, you will play a key role in advancing hydrogen-based steelmaking by addressing one of its central challenges: how to efficiently carburize and melt H-DRI in reduced electric furnace (REF) operations. Working at the forefront of sustainable metallurgy, you will combine experimental research and fundamental insights to unlock new process routes that support a circular and CO₂-neutral steel industry by 2050.

The Metals Production, Refining and Recycling (MPRR) group at TU Delft is actively involved in Theme II: Production within the GGS programme. This initiative pushes beyond current state-of-the-art technologies, exploring disruptive alternatives to conventional blast furnace (BF) and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) routes. A promising pathway involves hydrogen-based direct reduction (DRP) combined with REF and BOF, offering significant potential to reduce emissions while maintaining steel quality and process efficiency.

A critical factor in this transition is the role of carbon. In the REF+BOF route, carbon is essential for refining hot metal and controlling the melting behaviour of iron-bearing materials. However, hydrogen-based DRI lacks intrinsic carbon, making controlled carburization during melting indispensable. Understanding how carbon influences phase transitions, and how it can be effectively introduced into the system is central to this research.

Your responsibilities
In this role, you will develop fundamental and practical insights into the carburization and melting behaviour of H-DRI in REF operations, contributing to the advancement of green steelmaking within the GGS programme. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

1. Explore carbonaceous materials that can be used in the REF process
2. Evaluate the graphitization degree of carbonaceous materials and select those suitable for laboratory-scale experiments
3. Design and perform lab-scale experiments to determine the wetting behaviour between selected carbonaceous materials and complex iron systems
4. Design and perform lab-scale experiments to investigate the carburization and melting behaviour of complex iron
5. Collaborate with researchers within department MSE and Tata Steel Netherlands, contributing to joint research activities and knowledge exchange.
6. Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and the development of new research proposals in the field of green steel.

Your workenvironment
You will be part of the Metals Production, Refining and Recycling (MPRR) section at TU Delft, where cutting-edge research is conducted to optimize resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in metal industries. The MPRR research team specializes in the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and kinetics using experimental studies and process modelling and simulation. The team bridges fundamental science with practical, real-world applications, contributing to circular economy innovations. At MPRR, we work closely every day to strengthen the group through each member’s growth, fostering a collaborative culture without rigid hierarchies and plenty of opportunities for professional and academic development. You’ll also collaborate with scientists from the GGS programme, and Tata Steel Netherlands; colleagues passionate about green steel and sustainability.

Job requirements
We are looking for a self-motivated researcher to help developing new technologies for green steel production. You are able to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues and industry partners, and are willing to engage in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a PhD degree in chemical, metallurgical or materials engineering, or a closey related field.
• You have sound knowledge in pyrometallurgical fundamentals, and are acquainted with ironmaking and steelmaking technologies.
• You have experienced with advanced characterization and image analysis tools. Particularly, a knowledge on the following tools; SEM-EDS, TEM, and EPMA is a big plus.
• You are familiar with designing and conducting high temperature experiments and are familiar with using furnaces and reacting gases (in particularly O2, H2, CO/CO2 and natural gas).
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• You have a strong track record in scientific research, as evident from publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference participation.

Join this unique programme, where you can apply your technical knowledge to a project with Tata Steel Netherlands. Imagine designing new processes more sustainable and (cost-)efficient and improving the recyclability of steel. You can help make an impact on society!

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.