Postdoc in carbon fibers for production of hydrogen from sewage water

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

Hydrogen produced in a sustainable way has been pointed out as a key component in the transition to a fossil-free society. An important part of the green production of hydrogen by electrolysis is the electrodes and reducing the cost of the precious metals in their surface layers. The use of ammonium-rich wastewaters in the process can also improve the sustainability of hydrogen production as it theoretically requires less energy than production based on clean water.

An electrolysis technology based on bimetallic catalyst of platinum-copper has been developed to produce hydrogen from ammonium present in municipal wastewater. Here, wastewater can be purified at the same time as hydrogen can be produced. Based on this proof-of-concept the aim of the proposed two-year research project is to achieve a stable bimetal electrolysis process for hydrogen production.

The study is intending to improve the electrode performance and upscale the process to multi-carbon fiber electrodes while also evaluating other high surface-to-volume materials like nickel foams, for comparison, in the designed pilot-scale reactor. Electrodes with different catalytic surface layers will be tested at the beginning of the project on synthetic wastewater and the project further aims for realistic tests with real municipal wastewater on a pilot scale. The project is carried out in close collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research institute.

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Works in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Requirements

• A doctoral degree in chemistry or similar field, or an equivalent foreign degree, This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
•  You have a genuine interest in experimental laboratory work, and a good understanding for electrochemical reactions and carbon metallic interfaces.
• You have full proficiency in English, since it is used in the daily work, and a proven track record of publishing.
• As a person you have good collaborative skills, as well as good organizational skills and ability to work independently with research assignments.
• You also have good teaching abilities, and an interest in pedagogics and assisting in education.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Cross-disciplinary research experience.
• Knowledge in different characterization techniques.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality. 

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competency

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage .

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.