PhD in Two-phase flow in porous electrodes and flow cell simulation 100%

The European MSCA Doctoral Network “MiEl" will explore new industrial production strategies for the chemical industry. The need for reduction of fossil fuel consumption requires novel synthesis concepts. MiEl will combine electrochemistry, micro process engineering and flow chemistry.

School: School of Engineering
Starting date: January 2024 (or earlier if preferred), duration 3 years

Your role

In the MiEl project our aim is to develop and link different models describing flow cells for electroorganic synthesis on different scales and dimensions. Processes will be modelled over a wide range of length scales from the micrometre to the centimetre scale. The recruited researcher will explore transport processes and electrochemical reactions in different electrode structures by developing and applying the Lattice Boltzmann Method for reactive two-phase flows. In a second step, the doctoral candidate will develop an up-scaling method to evaluate effective material parameterisations of the reactive two-phase flow in porous electrodes that are needed for macro-homogenous simulations of flow cells. Starting with the pore-scale modelling and simulation, the recruited researcher will collaborate with other doctoral candidates in the project to use the electrode material parameterisations and develop coupled continu-um-scale flow cell models.
MSCA Doctoral Networks are one of the most prestigious European funded fellowships that foster excellence in research, innovation collaborations, and training. The recruited researcher will have the opportunity to work as part of an international, interdisciplinary team of 12 doctoral candidates, based at universities and industrial firms throughout Europe. The doctoral candidate will be supported by two mentors within the MiEl project and will have multiple opportunities to participate in professional and personal development training. She/he will gain a unique skill set comprising mathematical modelling and simulation of coupled physicochemical processes, electrosynthesis, flow chemistry and process analytical technologies, as well as modern control engineering techniques. The doctoral candidate is expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and to disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Your profile

• In accordance with the European Union's funding rules for doctoral networks, applicants must NOT yet have a PhD
• Excellent Master's degree in computational science, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related science
• Familiarity with mathematical modelling and numerical methods for partial differential equations
• Strong interest in modelling and simulation in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative project at the interface of organic chemistry and engineering
• Experience in at least one programming language for scientific computing (C/C++, Matlab, Fortran, Python, Julia, ...)
• Prior experience with the Lattice Boltzmann Method is beneficial, but not required
• Good communication skills and willingness to collaborate with multiple partners and present results at conferences and project meetings
• Very good English language skills (German is beneficial)
• Self-motivation and the ability to achieve goals independently as well as to contribute effectively to the team
• Mobility: You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.­

This is what we stand for

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 14'000 students and 3'400 faculty and staff.
As one of the leading technical universities in Switzerland, the School of Engineering (SoE) focuses on future-oriented topics. 13 institutes and centres guarantee high-quality education as well as research and development with a focus on energy, mobility, and health.
At the Institute of Computational Physics (ICP), physicists, mathematicians and engineers work on applying methods and results from basic research to industrial problems. For more than 20 years, the ICP has been developing multiphysics computer models for industrial applications (e.g. in the field of hydrogen technology, photovoltaics or coupled-physics modelling). Together with its partners from science and industry, the ICP develops solutions in applied research and development.

What you can expect

We offer working conditions and terms of employment commensurate with higher education institutions and actively promote personal development for staff in leadership and non-leadership positions. A detailed description of advantages and benefits can be found at Working at the ZHAW. The main points are listed below:

• Offers and discounts
• Employment and salary
• Our workplace culture
• Working hours
• Opportunities for development
• Health
• Insurance and pension scheme

Contact

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schumacher
Team Leader Electrochemical Cells and Energy Systems

juergen.schumacher@zhaw.ch

Tanja Bucher
Recruiting Manager

tanja.bucher@zhaw.ch