Job
Description
Are you passionate about advancing sustainable energy technologies and eager to contribute to the next generation of lithium-ion batteries If you are driven by the desire to develop innovative materials that could revolutionize energy storage, this fully funded PhD position at TU Delft may align perfectly with your academic aspirations and career ambitions. The transition to a sustainable energy future hinges on breakthroughs in battery technology, and silicon-based anodes represent a promising avenue for significant improvements in lithium-ion battery performance. By joining this research effort, you can play a vital role in addressing global energy challenges while developing highly sought-after expertise in materials science and electrochemistry. Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is one of Europe's leading technical universities, renowned for its cutting-edge research and innovative educational programs. Located in Delft, the Netherlands, TU Delft fosters a vibrant academic environment that encourages collaboration across disciplines and with industry partners. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science houses the Electrical Sustainable Energy department, which is at the forefront of research addressing the technical, scientific, and societal challenges of the global energy transition. The department is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including the Electrical Sustainable Power (ESP) Laboratory, dedicated to materials development, device fabrication, and advanced characterization. The core research focus of this PhD position is the development of silicon-based anodes with engineered interphases for lithium-ion batteries. Silicon is a highly attractive anode material due to its exceptional theoretical capacity, but its practical application is hindered by significant volume changes during cycling and instability at the electrode/electrolyte interface. This project aims to overcome these limitations by developing innovative interphase engineering strategies and advanced deposition techniques, contributing to longer-lasting, higher-capacity batteries. Enhancing the performance of lithium-ion batteries is critical for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics. Success in this research will have far-reaching impacts on society, supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The selected candidate will join the Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD) group within the Electrical Sustainable Energy department at TU Delft's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science. The PVMD group is known for its fundamental research on innovative materials and devices, and you will work closely with the electrochemical energy storage group in the Department of Applied Sciences. Your PhD project will involve developing silicon-based anodes using Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), depositing artificial electrochemical interphases using vacuum-based deposition processes, post-processing electrodes via wet-chemical and solvent-free methods, performing physiochemical characterization of materials, assembling electrodes into batteries and conducting electrochemical characterization, and carrying out mechanistic investigations using in situ and postmortem techniques. Ideal candidates for this opportunity hold an M.Sc. degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry with specific knowledge in electrochemistry, demonstrate excellent academic track records and strong analytical and writing skills, are reliable team players with effective time management abilities, possess general knowledge of glove box operations, clean room activities, wet-chemical procedures, and dry deposition/nanofabrication techniques (PVD, CVD), have prior experience in battery research (desirable), and display excellent English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills meeting TU Delft's minimum PhD admission requirements. To apply for this position, please submit an application letter addressed to Dr. Moumita Rana detailing your motivation for pursuing a PhD and your fit with the job requirements, your curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications, and a list of three academic and/or industry references. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the deadline for applications is 14th September 2025 at 23:59 CET. Candidates will be screened as applications arrive, and promising applicants may be contacted before the closing date. If you are motivated to contribute to the advancement of energy storage technologies and seek to develop your expertise in a world-class research environment, do not miss this opportunity to join TU Delft's pioneering research teams. Apply now and take the next step toward a rewarding career in sustainable energy innovation.,
