Postdoc position in Proton Solid Oxide Fuel or Electrochemical Cells

Are you curious about a sustainable future? Are you interested in the electrochemical methods used to produce energy or hydrogen through Fuel Cells or Electrochemical Cells?
At Federal University of ABC (UFABC-Universidade Federal do ABC), Materials for Energy Laboratory (LaMen-Laboratório de Materiais para Energia) We are now looking for a postdoc candidate to be a part of an exciting research funded by FAPESP. The project includes a collaboration between the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN) form University of São Paulo (USP) and UFABC. We will work on a proton conductors ceramic materials. We propose an innovative concept of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells at low to intermediate temperatures (500 – 700 °C).

The postdoc position will cover one years and include a monthly stipend of R$ 12.000,00.
The postdoc includes the following list of responsibilities:
– Chemical synthesis: the candidate will fabricate ceramic samples (pellets and films) from powder materials (oxides, salts).
– Structural, microstructural and chemical compositions: the candidate will characterize the materials using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy techniques.
– Electrical characterization: the candidate will characterize samples by various electrochemical methods, including AC and DC techniques.
– Project management: the candidate is expected to collaborate with the project group and report to the FAPESP via continuous reporting and deliverable preparation.

Other characterization methods at synchrotron facilities may be adopted throughout the project. As a part of the employment, the candidate will be involved in several activities from the UFABC – LaMEn regarding clean energy materials and technologies for a transition to a green future.

Eligible candidates should have:
● An PhD degree in Physics, chemistry or materials (engineering) science,
● Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken,
● Experience in Chemical synthesis: Solid state, Sol-gel, Pechini, etc.,
● The ability to work independently with a strong drive, to plan and carry out complicated tasks,
● Interest in contributing positively to a new research group with a collaborative and diverse culture,
● A creative mindset for solving problems and identifying new directions and opportunities in your project.

We also value (but do not require) experience with:
● Experience with SOFC’s.
● Experience with sputtering or PLD deposition.
● Experience with mechanochemistry.
● Hands-on lab work with ceramics and electroceramics.
● Characterization of materials by Simultaneous thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy.
● Electrochemical characterization techniques, including impedance spectroscopy, and DC methods.
● Mass Spectroscopy

Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by: Professor Dr. Daniel Zanetti de Florio.

We offer
We offer an exciting and challenging job in an environment focusing on education, research, and innovation, enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. At UFABC, we are committed to the academic excellence world, aiming to become a world-class university. Connected to a strong emphasis in scientific research, UFABC has been acclaimed by its high quality education and high internationalization levels. In the last few years also, international rankings started to pay attention to us. The results and lessons learned so far are encouraging and might be followed and improved by other universities in the world.
The fellowship is expected to start on November 1st, 2024, or before (The start date can be anticipated depending on the current situation of the chosen candidate).

Further information
If you need further information concerning these positions, don’t hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Daniel Zanetti de Florio at daniel.florio@ufabc.edu.br

Application
We must have your application up to October 15th, 2024.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please send an e-mail to daniel.florio@ufabc.edu.br with the subject: PSOFC application and your initials. Please, do not forget to attach all your materials in English in one pdf file.

The file must include:
● A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
● Curriculum vitae (Lattes for Brazilians or Brazilians residents)
● BSc/MSc, PhD diploma
● List of publications (if any) indicating scientific highlights
● List of references (at least two)

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

 

Postdoctoral Research Scientist in perovskite solar cells

The group of Prof. Carlos F. O. Graeff at School of Sciences from São Paulo State University (FC/UNESP), in Bauru (Brazil), is looking for 1 postdoctoral research  scientist. The application deadline for the positions is 23/08/2024. The candidates are  expected to design, produce, and characterize perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 

About the Project:

The current project (FAPESP Process n° 2020/12356-8) aims to comprehend the  degradation mechanisms involved in PSCs, and to find solutions to overcome the stability  issues of these devices. Based on this premise, several chemical and physical aspects are being investigated, such as: the synthesis of different perovskite light harvester materials, strategies for the layers and interface passivation, analysis of interfacial and defects  phenomena, search for optimal electron and hole transport layers materials, the use of  promising novel techniques for materials synthesis and devices characterization. These  investigations will converge toward the primary objective of proposing more stable and  more efficient PSCs. 

How to apply: 

Candidates must contact Prof. Carlos F. O. Graeff (carlos.graeff@unesp.br) with a brief  statement of research interest/cover letter, a CV, and contact information of 2-3  references. Students in their final year of Ph.D. training are encouraged to apply.

Key project aims: 

  1. To optimize perovskite compositions to minimize defects during crystallization  and thin-film deposition steps. 
  2. To design novel electron and hole transport layers as alternatives for the currently low stable used materials.
  3. . To characterize the structure, morphology, and optical properties of nanomaterials used as active components in PSCs.
  4. To study defects and their effects on PSCs by using advanced spectroscopic and  electrical and optical techniques such as photothermal deflection spectroscopy  (PDS), photo-CELIV, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. 

Requirements: 

– Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, or related areas.
– Experience in the fabrication and characterization of perovskite solar cells is necessary.
– Experience different film deposition methods (slot die coating, roll-to-roll, spray coating, vacuum based techniques, etc) will be positively evaluated.
– Previous experience with the characterization techniques PDS or CELIV is a plus. – English knowledge (fluent in writing and speech).

The selected candidate will receive a post-doctoral fellowship from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) of R$ 12.000,00 monthly and a research contingency  fund, equivalent to 10% of the annual value of the fellowship that must be spent on items  directly related to the research activity.

Possibilidade para estudantes de instituições do RS de finalizar trabalhos experimentais no PPGQ-UnB

Em solidariedade a todo sofrimento pela população do Rio Grande do Sul em virtudes das recentes enchentes, o Programa de Pós-graduação em Química (PPGQ) da UnB coloca-se à disposição para receber estudantes de pós-graduação que precisem finalizar seus trabalhos experimentais e que, neste momento, não o possam fazê-lo em sua instituição de origem.

Diversos professores do PPGQ-UnB estão se disponibilizando para acolher os estudantes nos laboratórios, compartilhar reagentes e consumíveis e disponibilizar a infraestrutura do laboratório e multiusuário.

Infelizmente, o programa não dispõe de verba que ajude a custear o deslocamento dos estudantes, mas a coordenação do programa se compromete em ajudar a encontrar alojamento no apartamento de trânsito (apartamento dentro do campus que recebe pesquisadores visitantes e tem custo bastante reduzido) ou junto a outros estudantes.

Estudantes interessados devem entrar em contato com a Profa. Ingrid Weber, coordenadora do PPGQ-UnB, indicando qual a área de atuação do estudante e qual a infraestrutura necessária, pelo e-mail itweber@unb.br.