Researcher for Renewable Energy Carriers

How do we create a sustainable carbon-free energy system? At Avans, we contribute to this challenge with practice-based research, on renewable energy carriers like hydrogen, Ammonia, Synthetic fuels and iron powder. By conducting practice-oriented research with students, teachers, researchers and our stakeholders, we set the materials and energy transition in motion towards a more sustainable future.

In this research role, you will play an important part. Your challenge is to explore ways to develop new technologies and integrate new energy carriers into the existing energy system. You will:

• Work on projects involving the integration of new energy carriers to balance energy supply and demand.
• Conduct studies with a team of representatives from companies, governments, fellow research institutes, and students.
• Participate in existing research projects, conduct research, and perform project management tasks.
• Guide junior researchers and internship students in research projects.
• Initiate ideas and establish new research projects on renewable energy carriers.
• Interact with other research groups inside and outside MNEXT.
• Contribute to education at Avans by supervising Bachelor and Master students working on sub-studies linked to ongoing research projects.

The Centre of Expertise MNEXT deals with energy and materials transition. MNEXT is a partnership between Avans University of Applied Sciences and HZ University of Applied Sciences, bringing innovation to society together with SMEs. We are an international team of around 80 passionate colleagues from all over the world, with a lot of our communication happening in English. Currently, MNEXT consists of seven research groups: Biobased Construction, Biobased Resources & Energy, Biobased Building Blocks & Products, Smart Energy, Renewable Energy Carriers, Biobased Transitions, and Marine Biobased Chemistry. In this role, you will be part of the Renewable Energy Carriers research group. As a new research group, there is ample scope to show initiative and explore new ideas. At MNEXT, we have an entrepreneurial mindset and big ambitions. You can count on considerable freedom and variety in your work.

An environment where you have the freedom to discover and improve things – this is how we get the best out of you. We’ll help you to continue developing, enabling you to contribute to the ongoing professionalisation of our organisation. We also offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 4.234 and € 5.936 based on a full-time position (scale 11 in the collective labour agreement for higher professional education).
• A year-end bonus, roughly equal to a 13th month.
• An initial one-year appointment (0,6 – 1,0 fte), with the possibility of extension based on performance and internal personnel considerations.
• A healthy work-life balance and good workstations.

Plenty of freedom in your work, with the option of working partly from home.

You are passionate about the fight against climate change, which is why you are excited about contributing to the energy transition. Your enthusiasm for forming and leading new research projects by drafting research funding applications and positive energy are infectious, and you are an inspiration to your colleagues. The opportunity to supervise students who also want to do their part for the energy transition makes this position even more appealing to you regarding your experience in guiding bachelor- and master students and an interest in research-education integration. You also like to keep developing yourself and enjoy sharing your new knowledge with others. Additionally, you have:

• An academic education in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, with current research experience and experience in the professional field and/or science. A PhD/PD diploma is a plus but not a must.
• Knowledge and experience in electro-chemical processes and engineering, as well as research- and education experience.
• Some experience in energy economics and an understanding of the technical challenges around the energy transition, especially regarding systems integration into energy grids.
• An understanding of the energy industry, industrial installations, and regulations.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; Dutch is preferred but not required.

Big ambitions, human scale. Committed. Personal. That’s Avans University of Applied Sciences. A place where you can be yourself. With your unique ideas and insights, we’ll give you plenty of freedom. That’s part of our learning and entrepreneurial character. We offer optimally flexible education and research in co-creation with the professional field. And we are always changing, and moving with the world around us. Read these stories to discover Avans as an employer.

Do you see a great role for yourself in further professionalizing our education and research and in contributing to the further development of Avans into a knowledge institution? Please apply no later than 16th of June 2024 via the application button. If you have any questions about the content of the position, please contact Saleh Mohammadi, professor of the Renewable Energy Carriers research group, on +31 6 2496 9861 or at s.mohammadi6@avans.nl. We will give you an update on your application within 2 weeks of the closing date.