Transport and Carbon Corrosion in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Candidates should have a strong background in computational modelling (Ab initio methods / DFT / molecular dynamics; mandatory) and in high-performance computing (Linux-based systems, HPC platforms, mandatory). In order of importance, they should possess good programming skills in Python and/or FORTRAN and/or C++ (mandatory) or MatLab. Some background in microkinetic modelling of catalytic processes and in the use of open-source platforms for visualization of scientific data is a distinct advantage. Candidates should be able to understand electrochemical processes in fuel cells.

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (working language) is required. Knowledge of German is welcome.

The selected candidate will receive a salary in accordance with a) an EPSRC award as aligned with b) the MSCA regulations for DCs for the 18 months stay at Freudenberg. The gross salary includes a living allowance of €3400 per month subject to the relevant MSCA Country Correction coefficient, i.e. 136.9% for the UK, 98.3% for Germany plus a mobility allowance (€600 per month) and a family allowance (€660 per month), if the researcher has a family (‘Family’ means persons linked to the researcher by (i) marriage or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognized by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher). The guaranteed (UK/EC) funding is for 36 months.

Applicants of any nationality must hold a Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of physical sciences or engineering. They need to fully respect the following eligibility criteria: 

(a) Must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

(b) Must undertake transnational mobility. Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

 

Candidates should send a CV, a cover letter, a statement of research interests as well as BSc and MSc degree certificates. Two letters of recommendation and/or two nominated referees are also requested. Copies of relevant publications and an interview may be requested at a later stage.

All applications should be emailed to frudakis@uoc.gr, Matthias.baldofski@freudenberg.com and p.lindstedt@imperial.ac.uk using “BLESSED-DC08-Application” in the subject field. General information concerning postgraduate studies at Imperial can be found here: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg

The outcome of the evaluation process will be announced by end-June 2023. The contract is expected to start on 1^st of September 2023.

Additional Project Information

During the first 18-month period, DC08 will be working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London to determine the important chemical reactions for carbon corrosion under PEMFC operating conditions and quantify the kinetic rate constants based on DFT and semi-empirical potentials. DC08 will also appraise reaction kinetics for carbon corrosion reactions determined using complementary methods (DC03) and combine with the catalytic PEMFC chemistry (DC03) to create a merged microkinetic model. At Imperial, DC08 will work in a group alongside DC03 and DC04 as well as other researchers addressing related topics. Imperial has a good HPC facility with sufficient number of nodes dedicated to the research group.

During the second 18-month period, DC08 will be working at the Digital Modelling Department of FTI in Weinheim, Germany to formulate realistic, representative, atomistic models of carbon electrode materials with different degrees of amorphisation (graphite, carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon). DC08 will also derive chemical descriptors for use with ML that describe the electro-chemical processes at the PEMFC cathode and will work in a group that consists of 15 experienced researchers, focusing on the development of different simulation (CFD, FEM, Atomistics, etc.) and Artificial Intelligence methods (Machine Learning, Deep Learning). The FTI has a HPC cluster with both CPU and GPU nodes that will be used to support the research. In addition, DC08 will closely interact with colleagues of Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems who are developing Fuel Cells using numerical and experimental methods.

Additional Placement Information

Imperial is a community of problem-solvers dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the world's biggest challenges. Located in the heart of London, Imperial is a multidisciplinary space for education, research, translation and commercialisation, harnessing science and innovation to tackle global challenges. Imperial focuses exclusively on science, technology, medicine and business, with a powerful worldwide reputation for research excellence and impact. In the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Ranking, Imperial was ranked 12th in the world, as well as 3rd in Europe, behind only Cambridge and Oxford. Imperial was also ranked 6th in the QS 2023 world ranking of leading universities and 1st overall in the UK rankings produced by Times Higher Education based upon the Research Excellence Framework results 2021. Imperial College is also ranked first for Mechanical Engineering in UK and has a broad interdisciplinary research profile.

Freudenberg is a global technology group. Together with its partners, customers and research institutions, the eleven Freudenberg Business Groups develop leading-edge technologies, and provides products and services in more than 40 markets with thousands of applications. Freudenberg is a family-owned Group committed to partnerships with customers, believes in a long-term orientation and financial solidity. The excellence of 51,000 associates in 60 countries resulted in sales of over € 11.7bn in 2022. Freudenberg Technology Innovation SE & Co. KG (FTI) is the central development center of the Freudenberg Group. Freudenberg e-power systems is one of the leading suppliers of emission-neutral energy systems for heavy-duty applications.