PhD Opportunity at ELCAT – University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium | Full-time PhD position

 The research group ELCAT in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship student in the field of electrochemical engineering.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of electrode and reactor engineering within the recently granted path 3 Moonshot project (see also https://www.moonshotflanders.be/en/research/path-3-electrification-radical-process-transformation) EFFORT – development of GDE-MEA for CO2-electrolysis with low anolyte c The broader scope is developing the technologies that are needed to enable the large deployment of CO2 electrolyzers on the market. In particular, it is ambitioning to achieve high performance devices that are able to operate under an absolute voltage of 2.5 V at 200 mA cm-². More specifically, you will devise strategies for mitigating salt precipitation via innovative GDE and electrolyzer design. The aim is to establish the critical reactor operating parameters (water supply, pulsing, etc.) to avoid salt deposition to a maximum and as such increase the durability of a typical zero gap CO2 electrolyzer.
• You will publish scientific articles and/or patents related to the research project.
• As a PhD student of ELCAT you also support a part of the general research and teaching tasks to support the good day-to-day functioning of the research group and the Faculty of Applied Engineering.
• You are also co-responsible for the safety in the research labs, in particular with regard to gases and chemicals.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in industrial science/applied engineering: chemistry (industrial engineer), Master’s degree in engineering: chemistry or materials science (civil engineering), Master in chemistry or equivalent through experience or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, safety, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can communicate well, both in speaking and in writing.
• You are strong in planning and organizing and you can work independently.
• You have good technical skills.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another three years.
• The planned start date is 01/09/2025.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 24 June 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the ‘Apply’ button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job or project itself, please contact dr. Nick Daems or Prof. Tom Breugelmans via elcat@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.