PhD/PostDoc on Electrochemistry-Based Digital Twinning of Lithium-Ion Batteries at the Eindhoven University of Technology
Job description
Batteries are indispensable for making the energy transition. Without batteries, solar power collected during the day cannot be stored and used during the night and (both battery and fuel-cell) electric vehicles cannot drive. To support the design of battery modules and their battery management systems, digital twins (i.e., mathematical models) play an important role. Namely, batteries are complex electrochemical devices in which only their voltage, current and temperature can be measured on the outside, meaning that mathematical models allow understanding internal behaviour such as heat generation, ageing and safety. Such understanding is needed to allow, e.g., for determining the power and energy capabilities, the required thermal management and charging strategies.
The project focusses on digital twinning (modelling) of lithium-ion batteries. In particular, the project focusses on electrochemistry-based models, which describe the internal potentials, concentrations and reaction rates (of the charge storing reaction, but also ageing reaction) and are governed by nonlinear partial differential equations. Furthermore, finding the parameters of such models is a highly nontrivial task, particularly, when only non-invasive/non-destructive techniques are to be used.
The objective of this PhD/PostDoc research is to further advance the state-of-the-art in battery modelling and parameter estimation for those models. While previous research in the group has focussed on highly efficient model implementations (to allow for fast simulations) for single cells, the next step is to include thermal behaviour, ageing behaviour and to focus on developing simulating models for complete battery modules. To enable this, the complexity of the simulation models need to be tamed. Furthermore, parameter estimation methods are needed that are tailored for these models that inherently have poor identifiability/observability.
The research is part of the Eindhoven Battery Competence Center and it will be conducted within the Control Systems (CS) group of the Department of Electrical Engineering, TU/e, in close cooperation with TNO, ELEO, VDL Bus and Coach, DAF Trucks.
Main research directions
- Electrochemistry-based modelling of batteries, including first-principles modelling of relevant side-reactions (those that lead to safety hazards, failures and ageing).
- Development of numerical methods for efficiently solving partial differential equations and solving large-scale optimization/estimation problems.
- Experiment design and parameter estimation for batteries, including big-data exploration, to allow for estimating the relevant battery parameters, as well as quantifying its uncertainty.
Control Systems group
The CS group research activities span all facets of systems and control theory, such as linear, nonlinear and hybrid systems theory, model predictive control, machine learning for modelling and control, modelling and identification and formal methods in control. The CS group has a strong interconnection with industry via national and European funded projects in a variety of application areas like high-precision mechatronics, power electronics, and sustainable energy (mobility, transport, smart grids). CS owns dedicated equipment for cycling, measuring and controlling batteries, as well as several other high-tech setups. The PhD/PostDoc will join the group and interact with the other members of the CS group (around 40 researchers), where he/she will participate in a mix of academic and industrial research activities. Research within the CS Group is characterized by personal supervision. The PhD/PostDoc will have access to the advanced courses offered by the Dutch Institute for Systems and Control, and will attend national and international scientific conferences.
Job requirements
For the position in this project, a candidate with a MSc degree in Systems and Control, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering will be selected and hired as a PhD (4 years) or PostDoc (2 years) in the Control Systems Group. The candidate should have the following competences:
- You are a talented and enthusiastic young researcher.
- Strong academic background in mathematical modelling or systems and control .
- Good programming skills in Matlab, and possibly Python
- A team-player with excellent communication and cooperation skills in a multi-partner and multi-disciplinary project environment.
- You are creative and ambitious, hard-working and persistent.
- Ability to independently organize your work.
- Good scientific writing skills.
- Strong command of the English language.
Conditions of employment
What we offer both, is:
- A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university and a stimulating internationally renowned research environment.
- A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
- A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
- Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.
What we offer a PhD:
- A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
- To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
- To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
- Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
What we offer a PostDoc:
- A full-time employment for two years
- You will have free access to high-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- Information and application
- More information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
dr. Tijs Donkers (m.c.f.donkers[at]tue.nl)
For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl
Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on https://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/phd-postdoc-on-electrochemistrybased-digital-twinning-of-lithiumion-batteries-885311.html
The application should include:
- a brief cover letter motivating your interest and suitability for the position;
- a detailed curriculum vitae including research experience and any previous publications;
- transcripts of academic records indicating courses taken (including grades);
- a half-page summary of your MSc thesis;
- contact details of two relevant references (email, phone number).
