Postdoc in Chemistry, energy materials 2873 views

Postdoc in Chemistry, energy materials

The position is funded by the EPSRC consortium grant ‘Next generation anion-exchange membranes (AEM) with covalently-bound antiradical functions for enhanced durability’.

The consortium will be led by Prof Varcoe and involves Prof Mamlouk’s group at Newcastle University along with two strategic industrial partners.

Overview

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in the Electrochemical Energy Materials group in the Department of Chemistry.

The project involves the development of the next generation of anion-exchange membranes for use in alkaline membrane fuel cells and alkaline water electrolysers (targeted at reductions in the use of precious-metal catalysts).

1. The Electrochemical Energy Materials group at the University of Surrey has specific interests in the synthesis, characterisation, and small-scale device testing of novel, high-performance ion-exchange membranes for use in a variety of sustainable electrochemical technologies (fuel cells, electrolysers (H2 generation and CO2 reduction), reverse electrodialysis and metal-air batteries).
2. The Research Fellow will be tasked with synthesising new monomers (including using a flow reactor) that will then be used to fabricate the new generation of AEMs (both radiation-grafted and pore-filled).
3. The project will involve a wide range of techniques including organic synthesis on the 50 – 500 g scale, polymerisations, AEM fabrication, various spectroscopies including Raman microscopy, analytical titrations, thermo-mechanical analyses, measurement of ionic conductivities and water uptakes, and small-scale fuel cell testing.
4. The candidate must be prepared to work at an industrial partner site, locally in Surrey, for the final six months of the project as well as to continuously help supervise undergraduate students (final year undergraduates, postgraduates and visiting) who will work on related projects.
5. The research fellow will also be expected to synthesise batches of AEMs for distribution to other research parties to maximise impact and the production of additional high-quality publications.
6. This position is for a duration of 3.5 years. The preferred start date would be between 1st July – 1st August 2020.

Required Qualifications:

1. Candidates must hold (or be close to completion of) a PhD in Chemistry or Materials Sciences.
2. Prior experience of organic and/or polymer synthesis and characterisation is desirable.
3. Candidates should apply on-line, fully answering the application form questions and attaching a curriculum vitae (with details on education, research experiences, successes and publications to date).
4. As part of your application, please also upload two letters of recommendation as supporting documents.
5. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. John Varcoe (j.varcoe@surrey.ac.uk) for further information.

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