PhDs - Modeling, Synthesis, Characterisation & Testing - Low Temperature Water Electrolysers
- Full-time
Company Description
Hydrogen Research Institute (HRI) of Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) is one of Canada’s leading institutions in Hydrogen Research and Development.
Our mission is to advance science and technology for the establishment of a sustainable energy system using Hydrogen particularly in the field of production, storage, safety and use. The HRI is a multidisciplinary team of over 50 people having at its disposal state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories.
Laboratories at the Green Hydrogen Lab (GH2Lab) run by Professor Bruno G. Pollet FRSC at the HRI specializes in modeling, design, synthesis, characterization and testing of novel materials for renewable energy applications.
Job Description
Green Hydrogen Labs of Prof. Bruno G. Pollet
Prof. Pollet is professor of Chemistry at UQTR (Canada) and adjunct professor of Renewable Energy at NTNU (Norway) and one of the world leaders in Hydrogen Energy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-bruno-g-pollet-2a435ab
We are looking for highly motivated PhD students in the fields of:
- Machine Learning for Computational Material Discovery in Green Hydrogen
- Materials Sciences in Green Hydrogen
The PhD candidates should have a degree in either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Sciences, or closely related fields, with an outstanding profile to work on the project focuses on development of new and improved catalyst materials for the next generation of low temperature water electrolysers.
Main tasks
Materials Discovery:
- Materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in various electrolytes.
- Apply machine learning, big data, first principles, artificial intelligence and other classical simulations.
- Density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD) modeling (inc. high throughput calculations, structure prediction, classical and ab initio MD simulations).
- Algorithms and software development and implementation for materials modeling.
- Rational design of innovative materials (atomic arrangement, chemical composition, crystalline/amorphous systems, nanoparticle size/shape/orientation etc)
Materials Sciences:
- Synthesis and characterisation of novel OER and HER catalysts.
- Electrochemical characterisation (CV, LSV, CA, CP, EIS etc.) of OER and HER catalysts in various media.
- Use of voltammetry, amperometry, RDE, RRDE, low temperature electrolyser test stands etc.
- Physical characterisation techniques (TEM, SEM, STM, BET, XRD, neutron scattering etc).
- Analytical characterisation techniques (ICP, FT-IR, Raman, GC etc)
Other requirements
- Writing papers, patents and presenting the results at conferences.
- Writing progress reports.
- Excellent written and oral English.
- Project management skills desirable but not essential.
- Health and Safety Certificate desirable but not essential.
- French language skills desirable but not essential.
Personal characteristics
- Professional.
- Good timekeeping.
- Observing and meeting deadlines.
- Eye for details.
- Team-player.
- Reading and responding to communications from the supervisory team and other members of the University.
- Taking responsibility for their own career development.
- The successful candidate should be enthusiastic, highly motivated, disciplined and willing to work both independently and with other researchers.
- The applicant should be a problem solver and results driven.
- The applicant should have good project management skills as well as an excellent command of English, both written and verbal as she/he will be expected to write research articles and deliver her/his findings at inter(national) conferences.
- Willing to travel internationally.
We offer
- Exciting and stimulating opportunities in a strong international academic environment.
- An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues.
This 3-year PhD position is funded by UQTR. The position includes a stipend of $20,000/year + a yearly bonus (related on annual # of publications in international journals). Possibilities to spend some time at the "Hydrogen Energy and Sonochemistry Research" group led by Prof. Pollet at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway and well-renowned Hydrogen dedicated labs (University and Industry) in France and Germany.
Qualifications
- Excellent Master's degree in either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline.
- Strong interest in pursuing research on synthesis of novel OER and HER catalysts.
- Experience in either OER, HER, ORR or HOR in acidic and alkaline media.
- High motivation for pursuing a PhD within 3 years.
- Excellent organisational skills and team player.
- Ability to show initiative and work independently.
- Excellent skills in spoken and written English.
Additional Information
About the application
A cover letter (addressed to: Professor Bruno G. Pollet), a CV (inc. a list of publications), copies of diplomas and certificates, and 3 letters of reference.
Please submit your application electronically in English by clicking on “I’m interested”.
Application deadline Open until filled.