PhD Position Thermal Runaway of Batteries (Battery Systems)

Location: Delft, Netherlands. The role is based at Delft University of Technology, and relocation to the Netherlands may be required.

Salary: €3,059–€3,881 gross per month, increasing from the first to the fourth year.

Company

hirify.global is an international technical university conducting research and education in engineering, energy transition, maritime technology, and related disciplines.

What you will do

• Research how to design safe battery energy storage systems for naval vessels.
• Model battery thermal behavior and thermal runaway under different load cycles and potential mechanical damage, including missile impact.
• Investigate battery chemistry, containment, cooling, and mechanical construction to reduce thermal runaway risk.
• Develop approaches to minimize damage when thermal runaway occurs.
• Combine modelling, system design, and experimental research while considering the ship's onboard energy system.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners, including the Netherlands Defense Academy and researchers on maritime battery projects.

Requirements

• MSc degree in electrical power engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise and/or strong interest in modelling and designing battery systems.
• Proactive and independent approach to research.
• Ability to interact with different stakeholders and communicate effectively.
• Good English communication skills are required for collaboration, doctoral education, scientific articles, and the final thesis.

Culture & Benefits

• Four-year doctoral employment period in principle, structured as an initial 1.5-year contract followed by a 2.5-year extension subject to a go/no-go assessment and performance requirements.
• Membership in the hirify.global Graduate School with supervision, mentoring, and a doctoral education programme.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Customisable compensation package, health insurance discounts, and a monthly work costs contribution.
• Flexible work schedules may be arranged.
• Coming to Delft Service supports relocation and settlement in the Netherlands, with events and a dual-career programme for accompanying partners.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter, detailed CV with publications, and application by 31 August 2026.
• Shortlisted applicants will provide contact details for up to three professional referees with their consent.
• A knowledge-security risk assessment is conducted during the final recruitment stages.