PhD scholarship in visualization of electrical currents in energy devices by polarized neutron imaging – Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Join our team to develop new advanced energy-resolved polarized (spin-phase) neutron imaging methods to visualize the electrical currents in energy devices like for example rechargeable batteries or electrolysis cells for power-to-X. The aim is to understand the relationship between current paths, microstructure and performance of the device. You will be involved in high profile research at the forefront of materials science in collaboration with international large scale research facilities.

We have an available PhD position in the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy), Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The PhD project will be conducted as a collaboration between the Section for Imaging and Structural Analysis (DTU Energy), Department of Green Technology (SDU) and European Spallation Source (ESS Data Management & Software Center).

The PhD position is part of the Center of Excellence within hard materials in 3D (ESS Lighthouse SOLID) with the vision to visualize the internal structure of materials, their creation and change during use – in 3D and on all the relevant length and time scales. Hard materials are essential ingredients in the solution for many of society’s most outstanding issues within e.g. energy, production and environment impact. They are ubiquitous in nature in the form of e.g. bones, wood, soil and rocks. SOLID is a cross-disciplinary center that seeks to exploit the strong synergy in methods and science across materials science, geoscience, bone research, forensics and archeology. To enable the 3D visualization SOLID is engaged in building instruments at the World’s most powerful neutron and X-ray sources, ESS in Lund and ESRF in Grenoble, and is in charge of two national X-ray infrastructures, DanMAX at MAX IV and DANFIX at DTU. SOLID also serves a Danish competence center for neutron and X-ray imaging in general, with extensive collaboration with industry.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will work with the research project together with an international project team that is leading in the field of polarized neutron imaging. For monochromatic neutrons it is impossible to distinguish a precession angle larger than ?, which limits how strong or complicated magnetic fields can be imaged. However, analyzing the wavelength dependence of the neutron polarization, which is possible for energy-resolved polarized neutron imaging, and combining this with three-dimensional polarization analysis, it is possible to visualize the magnetic field strength and direction in 3D.
Based on this state-of-the-art spin-phase neutron imaging you will focus on applying the method for analysis of current paths and distributions in energy devices and linking this knowledge to their microstructure, performance and life-time. You will be responsible for comparing the sensitivity and resolution of various methods in spin-phase neutron imaging both theoretically and experimentally. You will help to make these relatively advanced methods a tool to understand how micro scale structural changes affect the current paths in a device like for example an electrolysis cell for efficient energy conversion in Power-to-X.

You will collaborate closely with other PhD students working on neutron imaging for the visualization of microstructure of energy devices. In addition, you will be collaborating with researchers at large-scale neutron facilities, primarily Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) and J-PARC (Japan). A total of 6 months external stay at international research facilities is included in the project.

The following qualifications are required:

• • Strong competences within solid state physics or solid state chemistry.
  • Experience with programming and data analysis by Matlab, python or similar
  • Experience with experimental setups and lab-work.
  • Preferably experience with diffraction and/or imaging with neutrons and/or X-rays and/or electrons.
  • Personal drive and being self-motivated.
  • Good communication skills in English.
  • Being able to work independently and in a team.

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Head of Section Luise Theil Kuhn (luku@dtu.dk), Associate Professor Shuang Ma Andersen (mashu@igt.sdu.dk), and Senior Scientist Søren Schmidt (Soren.Schmidt@ess.eu).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
For further information, please contact Head of Section Luise Theil Kuhn (luku@dtu.dk).

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more about DTU Energy at www.energy.dtu.dk and the Section for Imaging and Structural Analysis at https://www.isa.energy.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 29 March 2022 (Danish time). Apply at www.career.dtu.dk

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• • A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma including official description of grading scale
  • A list of publications including full copies of three most important publications
  • At least two reference persons including contact details

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Energy is focusing on functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technology. Our research areas include fuel cells, electrolysis, solar cells, magnetic refrigeration, superconductivity and thermoelectrics. Additional information about the department can be found on http://www.energy.dtu.dk/

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.