PhD Position – Development of Advanced Iron Anodes for Long-Duration Energy Storage

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

Updated: 19 days ago

The transition to a climate-neutral energy system requires safe, sustainable, and cost-effective technologies for long-duration electricity storage. Rechargeable iron–air batteries are attracting increasing attention as a promising solution due to the abundance, low cost, and environmental compatibility of iron. Despite their significant potential, further scientific advances are needed to overcome key challenges associated with the iron anode, including parasitic hydrogen evolution, limited active material utilization, and long-term cycling stability. Addressing these challenges is essential for enabling the practical deployment of rechargeable iron–air batteries in future large-scale energy storage applications.

As a PhD researcher, you will investigate the relationships between electrode composition, microstructure, manufacturing processes, and electrochemical performance to develop next-generation iron anodes for rechargeable iron–air batteries. The project combines electrochemistry, materials science, and engineering, providing an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of one of the most promising technologies for long-duration electricity storage.

Your tasks will include:

  • Developing reproducible experimental and testing protocols
  • Investigating functional additives to improve anode performance and stability
  • Developing suitable current-collector concepts for alkaline battery operation
  • Designing and fabricating porous iron electrodes
  • Performing electrochemical evaluation in relevant cell configurations
  • Applying advanced characterization methods to relate material properties to electrochemical behavior

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