2 PhD positions on heat storage for flexible industrial processes

Introduction

We’re seeking a motivated PhD researcher to help drive the electrification of industrial heat. Join leading researchers and industry partners in developing novel flexibility strategies across Europe.

Job Description

This research project is part of the FLEXPower project. You’ll play a key role in revolutionizing the European process industry by driving the electrification of industrial heat, ultimately making it more resilient and climate-neutral. A key aspect of electrification of industry using fluctuating renewable electricity from solar and wind, is to allow for flexibility in the industrial demand. In the FLEXPower project, the focus is on heat storage and heat upgrading, particularly for industrial steam systems in food, paper and chemical industry.

The project has 2 PhD positions:

• Position 1: Heat storage using high-temperature phase change materials in combination with industrial heat pumps to efficiently generate heat. An important aspect is the dynamic performance of the heat pump. It is expected that you will team up with parallel developments at TNO (see www.tno.nl), where experimental work on dynamic heat pump and heat storage combinations will be carried out.
• Position 2: Heat storage using high-temperature thermochemical materials. Thermochemical materials can store and release a large amount of heat at almost constant temperature level. However, their energy density can be significantly higher than for phase change materials, and the output temperature can be tuned by the system pressure. Also here, you will spend time at TNO to exchange industrial process- and thermochemical expertise and carry out experiments.

In both positions, your research encompasses multiple aspects, such as:

• Analysis of process heat requirements in selected industrial processes to set the design requirements.
• Thermal design of the storage and the heat upgrading, to match the temperature and thermal power requirements of the industrial process, as well as ramp up/down performance.
• Materials development; selecting and testing of heat storage materials.
• Model development, building a model for the storage and heat upgrading device.
• Economic evaluation of the resulting system to evaluate the overall economic performance compared to stationary operation without storage.

The positions are in the Energy Technology Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology. You’ll collaborate closely with leading industry players, energy system operators, and research institutions. Our partners include Hogeschool Rotterdam, TNO, Saltes, Lamb Weston, Alliander, Nobian and Pluss Advanced Technologies BV. We expect that you will take the lead in interacting and collaborating with other researchers at the TU/e and other universities, and with industry and other stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Solid programming skills for data analysis and system modelling.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking abilities.
• Passion for the energy transition and its multidisciplinary challenges (technology, economics, and policy).
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information and application

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video. You can find some examples here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?

For questions on the project content, please contact prof.dr. Herbert Zondag (Herbert.zondag@tno.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services (HRServices.Gemini@tue.nl).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.