Postdoctoral Fellowship - BIPD-31_DEM_TEMA_2021_Electro-NH3

University of Aveiro, Portugal

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: Temporary
Deadline: 15 Nov 2021

A tender is hereby opened for the award of 1 Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) in the scope of R&D project “New generation of electrochemical ammonia formation membranes using nitride-based catalysts”, Ref. PTDC-CTM-CTM-2156-2020, with financial support from the State Budget, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, and related areas.

Funding Source: Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P./MCTES, through national funds (PIDDAC).

Work plan: main objective : Development of an electrochemical ceramic reactor to produce ammonia (NH3 ), which includes electrocatalyst materials based on ceramic mixed ionic and electronic conductors and metal oxynitrides.

The work to be developed by the fellow aims the development of the following tasks:

  • Inorganic synthesis : by combustion of ceramic mixed ionic and electronic conductors and by ammonolysis of metal oxynitrides.
  • Structural and microstructural characterization : by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
  • Fabrication of electrochemical cells : symmetrical, 3-probe, and anode-supported single cells.
  • Electrochemical tests : voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy.
  • Quantification of ammonia production : for example, by gas chromatography.

    • Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation / Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Doctor Francisco Loureiro and the scientific co-supervision of Doctor Duncan Fagg.

    Duration of the grant: in question, in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation No. 950/2019, of November 29th, published in the Diário da República, No. 241, Series II, of December 16th (FCT, I.P. Research Grants Regulation).

    Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: curriculum evaluation (70%), followed by interview (30%).

    A curriculum evaluation will be carried out based on the CV and other relevant documents submitted by the candidate, who will have a maximum score of 20 points, in which the following factors will be considered:

  • Academic qualifications and scientific curriculum in the scientific area of ​​the competition – up to 6 points.
  • Experience in inorganic synthesis by solid state reaction, combustion, or sol-gel of mixed ionic and electronic ceramic conductive materials – up to 2 points.
  • Experience with structural and microstructural characterisation of ceramic electrode materials – up to 4 points.
  • Experience in manufacturing and measuring ceramic electrochemical cells by impedance spectroscopy – up to 4 points.
  • Experience in analysing the impedance responses of ceramic electrode materials – up to 4 points.

    • For the interview, only the candidates who obtain a minimum score of 16 points in the curriculum evaluation will be admitted. During the interview, topics related to the candidate's work plan and CV may be discussed. This will have a maximum score of 20 points.

    Candidates will be graded on a final scale from 1 to 20 points. If the minimum score of 16 points in the final evaluation is not achieved by any of the candidates, the scholarship will not be awarded.

    Composition of the Selection Jury: Doctor Francisco Loureiro (President), Doctor Duncan Fagg and Professor Doctor António Bastos (permanent members), e Doctor Paula Marques and Doctor Aliaksandr Shaula (alternate members).

    : The call is open from 1st to the 15th of November, 2021 and only applications submitted within the deadline will be admitted.


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