Junior researcher. Molten salt systems for thermal energy storage

5 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CIIAE

Department

Thermal Energy Storage

Research Field

Engineering » Thermal engineering
Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry
Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Physics » Thermodynamics
Engineering » Chemical engineering
Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering » Nuclear engineering

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

31 May 2023 - 12:00 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

European Union / Next Generation EU

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Molten salts are ionic compounds, in solid state at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, but liquid when heated above its melting temperature. In liquid phase, these salts have high volumetric heat capacities, allowing a lot of heat to be stored while occupying the minimum amount of physical space, and being easy to transport.  

Sensible heat storage with molten salts is a mature and commercially proven technology. The biggest challenge of this technology is to improve the chemical compatibility between the salts and the tanks or components in contact with it to reduce corrosion problems. 

The selected candidate is expected to perform the following tasks: 

• Preparation and characterization of organic and inorganic salts, eutectic mixtures, etc. 
• Coordination and/or performance of corrosion experiments in molten salts under controlled environments. 
• Development and comparison of electrochemical methods to measure salt properties related to corrosion. Mechanistic understanding of alloy degradation in molten salts. 
• Development and validation of material systems and protection conditions that increase the useful life of heat transfer fluids (HTF) and of components in contact with molten salts and HTFs. 
• Validation of other equipment used in the storage of thermal energy: heaters, pumps, etc. 
• Close interdisciplinary collaboration with CIIAE colleagues. As well as collaboration with universities, research institutes and companies at a national and international level. 
• Support, supervision and tutoring of doctoral students and master's students. 
• Writing scientific publications and presentation of results at international conferences. 
• Acquisition of competitive funding, both private and public. 

Academic background required:  PhD in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical engineering, Physics or similar 

Valuable master's degree in: 

• Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion 
• Chemical engineering 
• Materials Science 
• Structural integrity and durability of materials, components and structures 
• thermoelectric solar energy 
• thermal energy systems 
• thermosolar 

Gross Salary Range: 35 000 € - 38 000 €

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Experience in the study of molten salts using electrochemical techniques will be valued 
• Experience and understanding of the basic principles of high temperature corrosion will be valued.  
• Experience in the use of microstructural characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ICP-MS, will be valued.  
• Communication skills 
• Ability work in a team 
• Experience in collaborations inside and outside the own department 

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Selection process

Call is expected to open on May 17th. Interested candidates please check  https://ciiae.org/empleo/

For further information please contact Breogán Pato (Head of Thermal Energy Storage Department at CIIAE) [email protected]

reference: IJ- SALES FUNDIDAS

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

CIIAE

Country

Spain

State/Province

Extremadura

City

Caceres

Postal Code

10003

Street

Avenida de las ciencias s/n

Where to apply

Website

https://ciiae.org/empleo/

Contact

State/Province

Cáceres

City

Cáceres

Website

https://ciiae.org/en/inicio-en/

Street

Campus Universitario Cáceres

Postal Code

10003

STATUS: EXPIRED