Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa’s around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics (HPC) is working on developing new materials for green energy conversion and thermal energy storage. Our group is working on a range of ceramic materials for different energy solutions, including ceramics for batteries, membranes and fuel production. We are experienced in processing high-temperature ceramics which we can characterize at high temperatures for thermo-mechanical and corrosion properties.

Your tasks

• Experimentally develop and test the next generation of high temperature thermal energy storage materials which will store solar energy through superheated steam at temperatures up to 1500°C
• Using a range of analytical equipment and techniques you will use your collected experimental data to develop machine learning models to allow you to optimize and accelerate refractory compositions and microstructures
• Work on thermal modeling of the materials and design concepts to optimize fluid flow and heat transfer
• Present your results in scientific publications and at international conferences
• Supervision of BSc and MSc students

Your profile

• We are looking for a highly creative blue-sky thinking self-motivated team player
• You have an excellent MSc degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Candidates with industrial experience are also welcome
• Experience in materials processing, modelling and machine leaning
• Fluent in oral and written English

Our offer

We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for personal and professional development. You will have the chance to contribute to the green energy revolution working in close collaboration with industrial partners to bring your research to fruition in solar fuel technologies or other high-temperature solar applications.

You will be working at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technologies (Empa) in Dübendorf (near Zürich). The PhD will be in collaboration with the Dept. of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETHZ for a duration of 4 years. The position is available starting January 2025 or upon agreement.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities – that’s what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.