PhD position: stable CO₂ and CO electrolysis on copper electrodes

Job Description

The electrification of the chemical industry requires new technologies to convert CO₂ into fuels and chemicals where direct electrification is not possible. Copper-based electrolysis can uniquely produce key molecules like ethylene, but copper instability currently limits real-world deployment.

The research will focus on understanding what fundamentally controls copper stability during CO₂ and CO electrolysis and on stabilizing copper through controlling catalyst-layer architectures, confinement, conductivity, and operating strategies. You will combine electrochemical testing with structural and spatial characterization to link copper redistribution to performance loss, and develop engineering strategies that prevent or reverse degradation during long-term operation. Experimentation is expected to be supported by scientific hypotheses and phenomena-centered explanations.

The succesful candidate is expected to publish first-authored papers that advance state-of-the-art fundamental and applied knowledge in the research field. Further the candidate will present their work at national and international conferences while building their own personal career pathway in consultation with the group principal investigator Thomas Burdyny.

This PhD project is embedded in the Burdyny Energy Lab, a dynamic research group of ~6-9 PhD students and postdocs working on electrochemical energy conversion at the interface of transport, materials, and reactor engineering. The candidate is also expected to work closely with a 2nd PhD position beginning one year later.

Requirements

We're looking for a candidate with:

• An MSc in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, chemistry or similar.
• Required: Previous hands-on electrochemical experience or knowledge.
• Able to work independently and as part of a greater team. Contributes to the social well-being and culture of the research group.
• A demonstrated record of an academic mindset illustrating critical thinking. For example through thesis or internship work.
• A pro-active and creative mind-set
• Fluent in English.
• Starting date planned for May-July 2026 depending on candidate availability

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Thomas Burdyny, via [email protected].

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A motivation letter (max 1.5 pages) that explicitly addresses the following points. Here I want your personal reflections rather than a highly polished or generic document:
  1. How a PhD in Delft fits into your personal life goals
  2. An example of personal resilience (from life, education or research)
  3. Which part of your background, personal skills or technical skills do you expect will be most useful for this project?
  4. In your own words, describe one challenge that limits long-term copper-based CO₂ electrolysis, and what part of this PhD project you would be most excited to work on
• A CV

You can address your application to Dr. Thomas Burdyny.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.