Postdoctoral position research topic:

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) constitute an important alternative energy solution to reduce societal dependence on internal combustion engines and lead acid batteries. They give the promise of significantly improved energy efficiency with zero or low greenhouse gas emissions, and they are expected to play a key role in the hydrogen economy. Despite tremendous research efforts and very significant technological progress since the late 1980s, PEMFCs are still facing some challenges in regards of their application in Electric Vehicles, such as cost, tolerance to external pollutants and aging.

We propose here a postdoctoral job to develop and apply an innovative theoretical inverse design approach to PEMFC components such as electrodes, micro-porous and gas diffusion layers. Such an approach will encompass continuum computational techniques, topological optimization and machine learning algorithms. Expected results will include optimized components architectures for given performance targets. This work will be carried out in strong collaboration/interaction with an automotive company.

Required candidate profile:

• Excellent skills in theoretical physics, and physical-chemistry and/or electrochemistry;
• Knowledge about optimization algorithms and machine learning techniques;
• Excellent skills and/or deep experience in programming;
• Experience in the fuel cell domain will be a plus;
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills;

• Ability to communicate results clearly and succinctly: the candidate will report regularly about her/his work to our partner company;
• Ability to work as a team member and to work independently;
• Excellent level of English, both written and spoken;
• Candidates for postdoctoral positions should have a recently obtained PhD diploma (not older than 2 years at the application date) and a significant track record of publications.

Contract duration:  1-year, to start as soon as possible.

Place of work:  Hub de l’Energie, Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS) – UMR CNRS 7314 – Université de Picardie Jules Verne – Amiens, France.

Application modalities: Interested individuals are requested to send to Prof. Alejandro A. Franco’s email ( [email protected] ) the following materials:

• Detailed CV;
• Copy of the 3 most recent publications (if available);
• Motivation letter specific to this project (applications with generic motivation letters will not be responded);
• The names and contact details of 4 reference persons, at least from 2 different institutions.