Job description
The Power Electronics Group within the Department of Electrical Engineering has a vacancy for a Postdoc researcher (fully funded, 2 years) to work in the European Partnership on Metrology joint research project MetSuperCap – “Metrology for static and dynamic characterisation of supercapacitors”. The MetSuperCap project aims to establish a traceable and sound measurement and characterisation framework for both supercapacitors and supercapacitor banks.
Supercapacitors (SCs) are an environmentally friendly technology and are being used across an increasing number of fields, including a replacement for batteries in high power density applications. The behaviour of SCs differs from both rechargeable batteries and electrostatic capacitors, and accurate knowledge of this behaviour is needed to support the growing application of SCs and SCs banks. In strong collaboration with industry and national metrology institutes, our group aims to develop measurement techniques and models that promote the uptake of SCs in industrial and energy applications.
As a Postdoctoral fellow, you will develop traceable and accurate measurement techniques complemented by adequate SC equivalent electrical models to evaluate the State of Charge (SoC) and State of Health (SoH) of SCs and SC banks, both under laboratory and dynamic operating conditions. Our unique, high-end laboratory infrastructure will ensure state-of-the-art results can be achieved, allowing for high-quality publications in the field.
Your profile
* You are a highly motivated, enthusiastic and curiosity-driven researcher;
* You have a PhD degree in electrical engineering, physics, materials science or a related field with excellent grades and scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals;
* You have a passion for measurement and modelling, with a track record in experimental research; experience with batteries, supercapacitors and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a strong plus.
* You are creative, like to push boundaries, and are highly motivated to address major science challenges in measurement and materials modelling and characterisation;
* You have good team spirit and like to work in an internationally oriented environment;
* You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with industrial and academic partners in regular meetings and work visits.
Our offer
* Fulltime Postdoc position for two years at the University of Twente, starting spring 2025, within a leading group in battery and measurement science:
* Access to a unique laboratory infrastructure for measurement and characterization of batteries and supercapacitors, including cyclers, EIS instruments and climate chambers.
* The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues, in a stimulating scientific and entrepreneurial environment on a green and lively campus with lots of sports facilities;
* Gross salary between € 4.060,- and € 5.331,- per month depending on experience and qualifications in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
* Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
* Minimum of 29 leave days in case of fulltime employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A fulltime employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
* Excellent facilities for professional and personal development.
* We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
Information and application
Are you interested in this Postdoc position? Please apply before March 15, 2025, and include in your application
* a motivation letter, emphasizing your expertise, your suitability for the position, and your motivation to apply for this position in our group,
* a detailed CV (resume) including a publication list and a half-A4 page summary of your PhD research,
* contact details of at least two references, that will only be approached if you are shortlisted.
The selection procedure includes an interview and a presentation.
For more information about the position, please contact Prof.dr.ir. Gert Rietveld or Dr. Prasanth Venugopal (vacancies-pe-eemcs@utwente.nl).
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
