Research Assistant / Associate in Mitigating degradation and enhancing durability in metal supported solid oxide electrolysers

About the role

In this exciting collaboration between Imperial College London, University of St Andrews and Ceres Power, funded by the UK-HyRES programme, we will focus on understanding and mitigating degradation mechanisms in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) used in the production of green hydrogen.  The project will focus on understanding electrode materials and their degradation mechanisms under the high current density conditions experienced in operating SOECs. The successful candidate will be based at Imperial College London and will focus on leading two of the four workpackages (WP). 

What you would be doing

• Undertake solid oxide cell electrochemical evaluation using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• Undertake transmission electron microscopy evaluation of ceramic:ceramic interfaces, using a wide range of analytical techniques, including under in-situ and operando conditions
• Develop atom probe tomography protocols to apply to solid oxide electrolysers
• Perform ion beam experiments, including SIMS and LEIS, on ceramic samples
• Probe the correlation of cell degradation with impurity content and microstructure
• Undertake complementary measurements of ceramic samples
• Probe the surface chemistry of components using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

What we are looking for

Research Associate: Hold a PhD in chemistry, physics or materials science and engineering.

Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics or materials science and engineering.

• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
• Practical experience of a broad range of transmission electron microscopy analytical and imaging techniques applied to ceramics 
• Practical experience of electrochemical characterisation of solid oxide cells
  Practical experience with one ion beam analytical technique (e.g. SIMS, LEIS, RBS)
  Demonstrated experience of relevant data analysis techniques
• Experience of undertaking solid oxide cell electrochemical characterisation
  Practical experience of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• Experience of synthesis and characterisation of high quality materials suitable for microscopy and/or surface analytical experiments
• Characterisation of degradation processes in solid oxide cells
• Experience of atom probe tomography (APT) techniques applied to oxides
• Experience of organisation of project meetings and laboratory management
  Experience of vacuum systems operation and maintenance
• General background on defect chemistry
• Practical experience of secondary electron microscopy
• Practical experience of X-ray Diffraction
• Experience in the study of ion beam solid interactions, particularly for ceramic materials

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• We provide a wide-ranging benefits package that includes resources, tools and networks to promote a positive working environment.
• Pensions – excellent employer contributions
• Season Ticket loan – interest free.
• Childcare facilities – Early Years Education Centre
• Childcare vouchers – salary sacrifice scheme.
• Staff accommodation
• Our flagship sports centre and gym in South Kensington Campus

*Candidates who have not yet officially been awarded their PhD will be appointed initially at Research Assistant (with a salary range of £43,003 to £46,297)

Further information

For further details on the role please contact: Professor Stephen Skinner, s.skinner@imperial.ac.uk.

Queries regarding the application process should be directed to: Darakshan Khan (d.khan@imperial.ac.uk).

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk.  

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above

Closing date: 14 January 2025

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