PhD Position Development of Sustainable Cathode and Anode Materials for Sodium ion Batteries (Science)

TL;DR

PhD Researcher (Battery Science): Developing sustainable cathode and anode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries with an accent on structure-property relationships and sustainability. Focus on synthesizing high-performance materials, performing electrochemical testing, and optimizing PFAS-free liquid electrolytes.

Location: Must be based in or relocate to Delft, Netherlands

Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month

Company

hirify.global is a top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, and mobility.

What you will do

• Conduct experimental and computational studies to elucidate structure-property relationships in sodium-ion battery materials.
• Develop durable cathode materials using dopant strategies to optimize capacity, reversibility, and cycle life.
• Research sustainable hard carbon anodes and design PFAS-free liquid electrolytes for safe and fast charging.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques including solid-state NMR and operando X-ray absorption and diffraction.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary experts to link fundamental materials science with practical energy storage applications.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Applied Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Must be able to relocate to the Netherlands.
• English proficiency is required for academic communication and thesis writing.
• Strong affinity for energy storage, materials development, and electrochemical systems.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills for teamwork.

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment period with a structured progress assessment.
• Salary progression over four years, including an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Access to the hirify.global Graduate School and a professional Doctoral Education Programme.
• Customizable compensation package and discounts on health insurance.
• Comprehensive relocation support via the Coming to Delft Service and a Dual Career Programme for partners.

Hiring process

• Submission of CV and motivational letter via the application portal by 16 April 2026.
• Knowledge security risk assessment conducted during the final stages of recruitment.