General information
Offer title : Researcher (M/F): Fabrication, electrochemical testing, and surface characterization of electrodes for solid oxide electrolysis cells (H/F)
Reference : UMR7515-JULBER-078
Number of position : 1
Workplace : STRASBOURG
Date of publication : 05 October 2024
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 18 months
Expected date of employment : 6 January 2025
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : starting 3 021,50€ (gross salary according to experience)
Desired level of education : Niveau 8 - (Doctorat)
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : Materials, nanomaterials and processes chemistry
Missions
Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) hold immense potential for the mass production of green hydrogen due to their high efficiency in converting electrical energy into chemical energy. However, their durability and performance currently lag behind competing electrolysis technologies, hindering their commercialization.
This postdoctoral project aims to address this challenge by synthesizing doped ceria nanoparticles and integrating them onto prefabricated porous electrodes. The candidate will then evaluate these materials through electrochemical testing and advanced operando spectroscopic characterization. This characterization will involve cutting-edge ex situ, in situ, and operando techniques. Experiments will be conducted both in Strasbourg and at various European synchrotron facilities. The overall goal is to elucidate the dynamic changes occurring within the electrodes under high-temperature water electrolysis conditions
Activities
- Synthesis of doped ceria nanopraticles with wet chemistry methods.
- Electrochemical characterization.
- Standard and advance material characterization techniques
Skills
- Proven expertise in materials synthesis, electrochemistry and materials characterization using surface-sensitive techniques
- capabilities to work independently and in a research team will be appreciated.
- Level of English and French between B2 and C1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- Previous experience in chemical synthesis methods, surface analysis techniques (XPS, XAS etc.) and evaluation of electrocatalytic performances is required
Work Context
This postdoctoral position is part of the CELCER-EHT project, part of the French national Hydrogen plan: decarbonizing industry by developing a French electrolysis industry. This project brings together 13 French academic partners. Part of the spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of the materials will be carried out at the Laboratoire d'Analyse de Surface of the Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES) in Strasbourg, which is a joint research unit (UMR7515) co-supervised by the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg.
The candidate will join the Energy and Fuels for a Sustainable Environment (ECED) team in the Catalysis and Materials department of ICPEES. In addition, the candidate will take part in several synchrotron experimental campaigns in France and Germany. In addition, the candidate will have access to several characterization platforms available in Strasbourg and, if necessary, in partner institutions.
The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.