Tre doktorander inom materials science for sustainable energy processes

Information about the research area
Material performance is one of the key barriers inhibiting the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Material related problems limit lifetimes and reduce efficiencies, adversely affecting plant economy and consequently the utilization of green energy. To strengthen our research, we are looking for three PhD students: one PhD position is directed towards metallic materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and two positions are directed towards corrosion issues in combined heat and power plants using green fuels. 

 - 2 PhD positions on high temperature corrosion in combined heat and power plants using green fuels
Globally, fossil fuels such as coal and oil still stand for a major share of the heat and power produced but renewable fuels such as biomass and waste are steadily increasing. However, changing fuel is often detrimental for the power plant due to severe corrosion. The harsh environment resulting from combustion of biomass and waste is rapidly destroying the construction materials used and as a consequence the material temperature within the boiler has be to be decreased. This results in a lower electrical output and and compared to fossil fuel fired boilers the electrical efficiency is much lower. Also, the maintenance costs in biomass and waste fired boilers are usually much higher compared to fossil fuel fired boilers.

Our research focuses on understanding the sequence of events leading to corrosion and thereby improving the lifetime of the installed components. This can be done either by making the materials more corrosion resistant or making the environment less corrosive (e.g. by additives, optimized operation or by new designs).

- 1 PhD position on metallic materials for fuel cells (SOFC)
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are high-temperature (>600°C) electrochemical energy conversion devices that can operate on a broad range of fuels while achieving efficiencies exceeding that of state of the art heat engines. The advancement of the technology has however been hindered by several technical and economic barriers. Many of those barriers are related to the metallic interconnects which connect individual cells. The interconnect must withstand the harsh environment at SOFC operating conditions, possess good electrical conductivity and show good compatibility with other cell components. We investigate the relevant degradation mechanism and work on protective coatings to increase the lifetime of the interconnects.

Central to all positions is the link between well controlled laboratory experiments, advanced microstructural investigations and experience from the field gathered by our industry partners. We work with state-of-the-art analytical electron and ion microscopy such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) detectors. We further employ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to analyze the specimens in more detail.

Information about the division
To meet the challenges of tomorrow’s energy demands, the research at the division of Energy & Materials at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering focuses on solving materials science problems that currently impede the use of new environmentally friendly technologies. We also host the High Temperature Corrosion center, a national center of excellence jointly sponsored by the Swedish Energy Agency, Chalmers University of Technology and around 22 member companies. HTC is known in the field as one of the leading labs worldwide.

Major responsibilities
Together with your supervisors and, presumably, industry partners, you will build a project team and jointly define the research strategy of your project. Besides hands-on laboratory work to collect data, you will further optimize experimental setups in collaboration with our mechanical workshop as well as coordinate post-analysis with our analysis experts. To be able to perform these tasks efficiently, we expect you to have a solid knowledge of chemistry and/or materials science.

As a PhD student, you will publish your findings in scientific journals and give presentations at international conferences and project meetings with industry partners. The PhD position furthermore includes up to 20% of departmental work, which mostly implies the teaching of undergraduate students in labs or exercises.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years. Chalmers offers a competitive and international research environment in the heart of Scandinavia. Here you find a friendly work environment with all the benefits of a Swedish university. We offer an employment with a competitive salary including benefits like 28 days of financed vacation, parental leave, health insurance etc.

Qualifications
You have a master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry or related subjects like materials science, physics or mechanical engineering. As a person, you are curious and appreciate working as part of a team, yet, you always take responsibility for your assigned tasks. If you enjoy lab work but also get excited to put your data into a greater context, you are an excellent candidate for these PhD positions.

All PhD projects are performed in collaboration with our partner companies, other departments at Chalmers as well as research groups at other universities. We are therefore looking for candidates who are team players but also take responsibility for their own tasks. You should further be able to collect and analyze information, to solve problems and to take decisions.

The undergraduate courses are normally taught in Swedish, although the graduate level teaching is in English. Thus, applicants who do not have Swedish as their native language should learn Swedish to a level where you can teach students during your PhD employment, free language courses are available.

Application procedure
By reading the ad on Chalmers website you will find an extended advertisment where the applications procedure is described.

Application deadline: 7th of June - 2020

For questions, please contact:
Jesper Liske, Chemistry and chemical engineering, (CHP using green fuels)
jesper.liske@chalmers.se
+46 31-772 28 43

Jan Froitzheim, Chemistry and chemical engineering, (SOFC)
jan.froitzheim@chalmers.se
+46 31-772 28 58