AddressThe Role
We are seeking to appoint a talented and enthusiastic individual with experience in ion exchange or solvating Membrane Development and characterisation to join our group in developing membranes for water electrolysers. The project will focus on identifying next generation anion-Exchange Membranes (AEM) with improved chemical and mechanical stability to use in water electrolysers for hydrogen production.
Your responsibilities will centre around designing and synthesising potential membranes, fabricating membranes, reinforcing them, and conducting tests in devices. You will collaborate closely with academic and industry partners within the consortium, specifically those involved in other components such as electrocatalysts, flow fields, and stacks. The goal is to contribute to the development of cost-effective and efficient electrolyser technology.
Key Accountabilities
- Synthesis, fabrication, characterisation and testing of Anion Exchange and ion solvating membranes for water electrolyser. This includes the design and synthesis of monomers, polymers and functional groups physical-chemical characterisation to confirm chemical structure, chemical stability, ion conductivity and mechanical stability and the use of computational studies to support the results of stability tests
- Assemble electrolyser to validate and test the developed membranes and ionomer
- Work closely and collaborate with other researchers on the project within the group and in the international consortium e.g. with electrode and catalyst development, carry out joint tests, share information and data to obtain, tune, optimise and validate the parameters of the produced membranes and ionomers for improved electrolyser performance and stability
- Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
- Support PhD and Master students during their research projects. Supervise and provide advice to junior staff and researchers on laboratory practice and safety
- Manage the local laboratory environment, monitor and enforce laboratory safety procedure and regulations
- Produce regular reports and presentations on progress to the research project academic supervisors
- Interact efficiently with technical staff in workshops and laboratories. Liaise with technical staff in on-campus and off-campus analytical facilities
- Interacting with academic members and industrial members of the project partners, providing suitable paper, electronic and oral reporting
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience in synthesis including monomers, methods of polymerisation and functionalisation
- Experience in synthesis, fabrication and chemical-physical characterisation of ion exchange or ion solvating membranes and study of their degradation
- knowledge of electrochemical analysis techniques to test performance and stability of ion Exchange Membranes in electrolysers and how they impact cell performance and stability
- High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
- Ability to communicate complex information (verbally and written) with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
- Ability to design and prepare professional reports and manuscripts and present findings to industrial and academic project partners at conferences and project meetings and write high quality scientific publications
- Ability and experience of supervision of junior staff, postgraduate and undergraduate research projects
- Willingness to travel abroad for short research visits at international project partners
Desirable
- Experience with Anion Exchange Membranes
- Experience in Anion Exchange water electrolysers
- Experience in electrochemical devices fabrication and testing
Attributes and Behaviours
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Professional approach with a demonstrable commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the general public and external stakeholders and the ability to interact with people from different disciplines
- Good project organizational skills and the ability to work to strict deadlines
- Monitor and, where appropriate, manage research resources (e.g. time, materials, finance, laboratory space, equipment) effectively
- Ability to work in a diverse team but also independently. Contributing to the development of effective and mutually supportive working relationships and practices
- Play a major part in the dissemination of individual or team based research outputs
- Ensure intellectual rigour and adherence to ethical standards in the research for which they are responsible
- Assist colleagues in interpretation of their data, to manage competing priorities, and to develop their research skills
- Ensure that knowledge and methodological/technical skills in their own, and related, areas of scholarship are extended and inform research activities
Qualifications
- PhD awarded (or nearing completion) in chemical science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, polymer science and engineering, materials science or a closely related discipline
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