Postdoc Bipolar Membrane Development Acid- Flow Battery Systems

Postdoc Bipolar Membrane Development for Acid‑Base Flow Battery Systems

Energy storage is indispensable for bridging electricity consumption with intermittent renewable energy supply. Electricity grids face significant challenges in balancing economic growth with sustainability targets. Rapid electrification across industrial, transport, commercial, and residential sectors strains existing grid infrastructure, leading to congestion and transmission bottlenecks. These issues limit the integration of renewable energy. Long‑duration energy storage (LDES) that provide 8+ hours of storage can balance intermittent production and demand, thereby stabilizing the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and ensuring more effective use of renewable energy.

TenneT expects 4.9 GW of large‑scale battery storage in The Netherlands by 2030, while only 0.14 GW was installed in 2023. Hence, a rapid scale‑up of LDES is needed.

In that light, we started a collaborative project with universities (TU Delft, UTwente, TU Eindhoven, HAN) and companies (AQUABATTERY, Elestor, Exergy Storage, RWE, Nobian) to develop batteries for long‑duration energy storage. Specifically, this postdoc position focuses on acid–base flow batteries, and more specifically the stack engineering in this system. Acid–base flow batteries are based on dissociating water into acid and base during charging, using bipolar membranes, and recombining acid and base in this membrane to retrieve electrical energy.

We are looking for an excellent postdoc with strong membrane development skills to study the development of bipolar membranes for acid‑base flow batteries. In close collaboration with researchers at TU Eindhoven and AQUABATTERY, you will develop new bipolar membranes with high water dissociation efficiency, low resistance, and high selectivity. You will develop new materials and configurations to improve membrane performance, analyze directions for improvement, and explore other membrane‑related aspects and applications.

Part of the role is to educate students in courses related to the research.

• A PhD degree in chemical engineering or applied chemistry
• Proven experience working with bipolar membranes
• Proven experience in nanostructures and catalytic membranes
• An excellent publication record
• A pro‑active and creative mind‑set
• Fluent in English; speaking Dutch is a plus

• Contract duration: 2 years (temporary)
• Working hours:
  
  32‑40 hours per week
• Salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities
• Excellent pension scheme via the ABP
• Possibility to compile an individual employment package each year
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages
• Annual leave: 232 hours (at 38 hours). Additional leave hours can be bought or sold via the individual choice budget
• Opportunities for education, training, and courses
• Partially paid parental leave
• Support for healthy and energetic working conditions through the vitality program

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft makes your move as smooth as possible. The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation and organizes events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your network. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your partner’s job search in the Netherlands.

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact David Vermaas at D.A.Vermaas.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 July 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to David Vermaas.

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