PhD scholarship in AI-assisted, high-throughput synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles for sacrificial-agent-free water splitting - DTU Energy

Would you like to contribute to a new renewable energy revolution by developing efficient nanoparticles for hydrogen production? Do you have a background in nanoparticle synthesis and characterization? Are you looking for an ideal springboard for a future career as a scientist in either academia or in industry? The department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is looking for a new PhD student for a 3 years project in the field of photocatalytic water splitting, which might just be the right project for you.

The project is financed by the Technical University of Denmark as part of its Alliance PhD programme. The external alliance partner involved in this particular project is the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and you are expected to spend about 6 months at that institute as a visiting researcher during your PhD project. The overall goal of your work is to develop nanoparticles able to efficiently split water into its basic oxygen and hydrogen molecules by using solar irradiation via a photocatalytic process. In order to significantly speed-up the discovery and optimization of nanoparticles with promising composition and morphology, you will be in charge of setting up a high-throughput synthesis protocol based on an existing continuous flow hydrothermal reactor. You will also define a set of standard, fast characterization operations (X-ray diffraction, various spectroscopy techniques and a test bench for parallel qualitative testing of water splitting). Finally, you will develop a machine learning algorithm that will help directing your research towards the synthesis of optimized photocatalytic materials.

The Nanyang Technological University will also have a PhD student working on a closely related topic and it is expected that you will be interacting by sharing information and testing each other’s materials.

At DTU Energy as well as during your external stay in Singapore, you will have access to excellent facilities and competences for synthesis, characterization and modelling.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your tasks will primarily encompass:

• Nanoparticle synthesis by means of a continuous flow hydrothermal process.
• Characterisation with a range of advanced techniques e.g. X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Raman, fluorescence and infra-red spectroscopy, XRF, etc.
• The development of a qualitative test bench for parallel testing of water splitting.
• Developing a machine learning algorithm allowing to optimize the synthesis process towards the most efficient nanoparticle characteristics in view of efficient hydrogen production.
• Besides your experimental work, you will follow specialized courses that are relevant for your project as well as for your future career and disseminate your work in international peer reviewed journals and at international conferences.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in, chemistry, physics, or material science engineering with outstanding grades. 

The applicants must demonstrate practical experience within at least 3 among the following fields. (Please indicate which ones and shortly describe concrete examples of your own relevant previous work involving them):

1) Nanoparticle synthesis, 2) Characterisation by means of spectroscopic techniques, 3) Water splitting, 4) Machine learning, 5) Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
Your application will be assessed by Dr. Jean-Claude Grivel and Prof. Wolff-Ragnar Kiebach.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  

If you have further questions, please contact Assistant Professor Jean-Claude Grivel ([email protected]), DTU Energy.

You can read more about DTU energy”at www.energy.dtu.dk 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 September 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale.
• Relevant research experience in the form of reports or short description or list of publications
• A list of references (minimum 3) you have worked in direct collaboration.

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) focuses on research and development of functional materials, components, and systems for sustainable energy technologies. The technologies include fuel cells, electrolysis, power-to-x, batteries, and carbon capture. The research is based on strong competences on electrochemistry, atomic scale and multi-physics modelling, autonomous materials discovery, materials processing, and structural analyses. We also focus on educating engineering students at all levels, ranging from BSc, MSc, PhD to lifelong learning students. We have about 270 dedicated employees. Read more about us at  www.energy.dtu.dk .

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.