PhD Position Stable CO2 and CO electrolysis Copper Electrodes

Stable CO2 and CO electrolysis on Copper Electrodes

Job description

The electrification of the chemical industry requires new technologies to convert CO₂ into fuels and chemicals where direct electrification is not possible. Copper-based electrolysis can uniquely produce key molecules like ethylene, but copper instability currently limits real-world deployment.

The research will focus on understanding what fundamentally controls copper stability during CO₂ and CO electrolysis and on stabilizing copper through controlling catalyst‑layer architectures, confinement, conductivity, and operating strategies. You will combine electrochemical testing with structural and spatial characterization to link copper redistribution to performance loss, and develop engineering strategies that prevent or reverse degradation during long‑term operation. Experimentation is expected to be supported by scientific hypotheses and phenomena‑centered explanations.

The successful candidate is expected to publish first‑authored papers that advance state‑of‑the‑art fundamental and applied knowledge in the research field. Further the candidate will present their work at national and international conferences while building their own personal career pathway in consultation with the group principal investigator Thomas Burdyny.

This PhD project is embedded in the Burdyny Energy Lab, a dynamic research group of ~6–9 PhD students and postdocs working on electrochemical energy conversion at the interface of transport, materials, and reactor engineering. The candidate is also expected to work closely with a 2nd PhD position beginning one year later.

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• An MSc in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, chemistry or similar.
• Required:
  
  Previous hands‑on electrochemical experience or knowledge.
• Able to work independently and as part of a greater team. Contributes to the social well‑being and culture of the research group.
• A demonstrated record of an academic mindset illustrating critical thinking. For example through thesis or internship work.
• A pro‑active and creative mindset
• Fluent in English.
• Starting date planned for May‑July 2026 depending on candidate availability

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world‑famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world‑class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem‑solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

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