Research Fellow - Polymer Electrolytes for Reverse Electrodialysis (024920)

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in the Electrochemical Energy Materials group in the Department of Chemistry. The position is funded by the EPSRC consortium grant ‘REDAEM: Anion-Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis’. The consortium will be led by Prof Varcoe and involves researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Eindhoven University of Technology (as an international project partner). The project involves the development of the anion-exchange membranes for use in reverse electrodialysis cells (a salinity gradient “blue energy” technology).

The Electrochemical Energy Materials group at the University of Surrey has specific interests in the synthesis, characterisation, and small-scale device testing of novel, high-performance ion-exchange membranes for use in a variety of sustainable electrochemical technologies (fuel cells, electrolysers (H2 generation and CO2 reduction), reverse electrodialysis and metal-air batteries).

The Research Fellow will be tasked with: (1) synthesising novel radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes; (2) characterising them using spectroscopic techniques (such as Raman microscopy + chemometrics), ion-exchange capacity titrations, electrochemical techniques (both d.c. and a.c. methods to measure permselectivities, resistances and conductivity), and thermal and mechanical analyses (thermal transitions, degrees of crystallinity, tensile strength, water uptakes and dimensional swelling in aqueous salt solutions); (3) supervise undergraduate students (final year undergraduates, postgraduates and visiting) who will work on related projects; and (4) synthesise large batches of current generation AEMs for distribution to other research parties to maximise impact and the production of additional high-quality publications.

This position is for a duration of up to 16 months. The preferred start date would be 3rd August 2020.

Candidates must hold (or be close to completion of) a PhD in Chemistry or Materials Sciences. Prior experience of polymer development and testing is desirable. Candidates should apply on-line, fully answering the application form questions and attaching a curriculum vitae (with details on education, research experiences, successes and publications to date). As part of your application, please also upload two letters of recommendation as supporting documents.

Prospective applicants can contact Prof. John Varcoe (j.varcoe@surrey.ac.uk) if they need any specific further information on the post.

Closing Date: 15 Jul 2020
Category: Research & Teaching