PhD Position: Mesoscale and macro-homogeneous-scale modelling of electrodes 100 %

PhD Position: Mesoscale and macro-homogeneous-scale modelling of electrodes 100 %

This doctoral thesis is part of the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral training network “SPACER", which is made up of 21 partners. A total of 17 doctoral candidates will work in this project over a period of 36 months.

School: School of Engineering

Starting date: 1. April 2026 or earlier

The position is fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Training Network "SPACER". It will be carried out by one doctoral candidate at ZHAW over a period of 36 months. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our research team working on mathematical modelling of electrochemical processes in flow batteries.

This project focuses on the modelling of electrodes for redox flow batteries to clarify the influence of electrode surface properties on the macroscopic electrode properties. Pore-scale electrode modelling and numerical upscaling techniques to the continuum scale will be applied. Finally, the aim is to develop a cell scale model using a macro-homogeneous description of the porous electrode with free flow channels. The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge research combining computational modelling with experimental validation. The project involves developing meso- and continuum-scale models, application of porous electrode imaging methods, and experimental characterisation of redox flow batteries.

• In accordance with the European Union's funding rules for doctoral networks, applicants must NOT yet have a PhD
• Excellent master's degree in computational science, physics, mathematics, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
• Experience in mathematical modelling and numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations
• Strong interest in working in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative project at the interface of electrochemistry and mathematical modelling
• Knowledge of electrochemical characterisation techniques is beneficial, but not required
• Experience in at least one programming language for scientific computing (C/C++, Matlab, Fortran, Python, Julia, ...)
• Good communication skills and willingness to work in collaborative projects with multiple partners and present results at conferences, project meetings and partners
• Very good English language skills (German is not required, but beneficial)
• Self-motivation and the ability to achieve goals independently as well as to contribute effectively to the team
• Should comply with the mobility rules in MSCA doctoral networks: in general, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 14'000 students and 3'400 faculty and staff.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams in order to promote equality, diversity and innovation.

As one of the leading technical universities in Switzerland, the School of Engineering (SoE) focuses on future-oriented topics. 13 institutes and centres guarantee high-quality education as well as research and development with a focus on energy, mobility and health.

At the Institute of Computational Physics (ICP), physicists, mathematicians and engineers work on applying methods and results from basic research to industrial problems. For more than 20 years, the ICP has been developing multiphysics computer models for industrial applications (e.g. in the field of hydrogen technology, photovoltaics or coupled-physics modelling). Together with its partners from science and industry, the ICP develops solutions in applied research and development.

Wir bieten hochschulgerechte Arbeits- und Anstellungsbedingungen an und fördern aktiv die Personalentwicklung unserer Mitarbeitenden und Führungspersonen. Eine detaillierte Beschreibung der Vorteile ist auf der Webseite «Arbeiten an der ZHAW» zu finden. Hier die wichtigsten Eckpunkte:

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schumacher

Team Leader: Electrochemical Flow Cells and Energy Systems

Jasmin Strobel

Recruiting Manager