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PhD in "Techno-economics of Ammonia as Fuel of the Future"Faculty/Services: Faculty of Science
Educational level: Master
Function type: PhD position
Closing date: 01.03.2023
Vacancy number: 10917
The transport sector produces harmful emissions that cause climate change and have significant detrimental health effects. To rid these emissions, ammonia (NH3) may become the fuel of the future for ships, trains and other heavy transport vehicles. Big open questions are, amongst others: “what is the best way to produce electricity from ammonia on board?” and “how can one optimally use ammonia for mobility purposes, for emergency power in e.g. hospitals, or as storage medium for hydrogen?”. These questions are difficult for a number of reasons, but the AmmoniaDrive project will attempt to produce a comprehensive set of answers. In particular, the goal is to find out whether a combination of a so-called Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) constitutes an efficient, clean, affordable and safe solution for the transformation of the transport sector. The PhD position associated with this part of AmmoniaDrive is dedicated to the techno-economics of ammonia as energy carrier or storage medium.
What are you going to do
You will undertake learning curve analysis, building, first of all, on existing work in this domain, such as learning curve research for solar PV (Haegel et al., 2017), learning phenomena studied for solid oxide fuel cells (Rivera-Tinoco et al., 2012), and analysis on the relationship between the learning rate and unit size and/or scaling (Sweerts et al., 2020). You will update and improve the learning curve for SOFCs, so as to inform on the costs of an important component of the overall AmmoniaDrive system. In parallel, the PhD will also determine the levelized costs of ammonia production (LCON) and investigate to what extent these costs may decline in the future as a result of learning phenomena. For this purpose, you will thus attempt to determine a learning curve for NH3 production on the basis of historic cost and capacity data. More broadly, you will investigate the use of ammonia as fuel, energy carrier and/or hydrogen storage medium, with a special focus on the techno- economic dimension thereof, either through technology assessments or by integrated energy systems analysis.
You will/tasks:
What do we require
A recent MSc degree in the natural or environmental sciences (or related field), preferably including affinity with energy and techno-economic studies.
Your experience and profile:
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week, preferably starting on 1-6-2023, for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and Masters students.
Based on a full-time contract (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,541 in the first year to €3,247 (scale P) in the last year. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
What else do we offer
About us
The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, and is curiosity as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four main themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics. Increasing interdisciplinary research is undertaken in the field of energy, climate change and sustainability.
The Sustainable Energy Technology (SET) group researches, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the technologies and options needed to control global climate change and reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. The SET group does so by employing two types of analysis: (1) technology-economic assessments including studies on current and future costs as well as tools like learning curves, (2) integrated assessment research using energy system models to produce scenarios for climate change mitigation.
To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 1-3-2023. You may apply online by using the link below.
Applications in .pdf should include:
We will recruit until the position is filled and close the position when a suitable candidate is found.
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
No agencies please.
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