PhD Position Formulating The Route Towards Sustainable Sodium Sulfur Batteries (Battery Technology)

TL;DR

PhD Position (Sustainable Sodium Sulfur Batteries): Development of sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries as a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries with an accent on electrochemical testing and environmental impact analysis. Focus on synthesizing inorganic materials and conducting life cycle assessments to create a roadmap for EU-scale deployment.

Location: Must be based in or relocate to the 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

• Synthesize and evaluate Na-S battery concepts using electrochemical testing and characterization.
• Use advanced characterization methods including XPS, XRD, SEM, and solid-state NMR.
• Map material flows and assess greenhouse gas emissions and ecological impacts of battery production.
• Conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to identify environmental hotspots.
• Collaborate with researchers and policy makers to shape the future of sustainable energy storage.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Ecology, or a related field.
• Experience in synthesis of inorganic materials and electrochemical testing.
• Proficiency in characterization techniques such as NMR, XPS, and XRD.
• Strong interest in sustainability and critical raw materials.
• Experience with industrial ecology tools like LCA and MFA.
• English proficiency required for scientific writing, communication, and academic courses.

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment period structured as two sequential contracts.
• Salary based on Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities with an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with dedicated supervisors and mentors.
• Customizable compensation package and discounts on health insurance.
• Flexible work schedules and a monthly work costs contribution.
• Comprehensive relocation support through the Coming to Delft Service and Dual Career Programme.