Advance innovative electrochemical recycling of lithium iron phosphate batteries. Join this collaborative 10-month Postdoc project and help accelerate the transition to a circular battery value chain by recovering critical raw materials through cutting‑edge electrochemical research in close partnership with industry.

Job description

Batteries will play a crucial role in the transition from fossil fuels to a more sustainable world based on renewables. Lithium‑ion batteries (LIBs) are used in many consumer products (e.g., toys, and electric cars) due to their high energy density. The LIB market is expected to grow exponentially the coming decades due to the electrification of the society. Between now and 2030, it has been estimated that around 11 million metric tons of LIBs will reach the end of their lives. Worldwide, less than 5 % of all LIBs are currently recycled, which means that 95 % of the spent batteries are landfilled with a serious risk for the health and environment. LIBs contain large amounts of critical raw materials like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, which should be recycled and not wasted.

In this project, you will advance electrochemical recycling technologies and translate laboratory innovation into scalable solutions. You will:

• Design and optimise electrochemical recycling processes (specifically: electrodialysis and flow capacitive deionization) to selectively recover lithium and other valuable metals from LFP battery leachates.
• Develop and test new materials and cell configurations, improving extraction efficiency, selectivity and energy performance.
• Adapt and enhance laboratory‑scale electrochemical setups to generate robust experimental data on process stability, efficiency and energy consumption.
• Evaluate and quantify the technical and economic feasibility of the developed processes through a techno‑economic analysis, identifying pathways toward scale‑up and industrial implementation.
• Collaborate and communicate with industrial partners and academic colleagues, ensuring alignment with project deliverables and translating scientific insights into practical recycling strategies.

You will work in close collaboration with industry partners and contribute to scientific publications and knowledge dissemination. Through this role, you directly support the transition to a circular battery economy by developing technologies that reduce waste, recover critical materials and lower the environmental footprint of energy storage systems.

Process & Energy – Engineering Thermodynamics Group

You will be part of the Engineering Thermodynamics group within the Process & Energy Department at TU Delft and will work under guidance of Dr. Mahinder Ramdin. The group focuses on understanding and modelling the thermodynamic behaviour of fluids and mixtures to enable efficient, reliable and sustainable energy and process technologies. By combining molecular‑level theories, advanced equations of state and computational modelling, the team investigates phase equilibria, transport properties and complex fluid behaviour relevant to applications such as carbon capture, hydrogen systems, geothermal energy and advanced separation processes.

Within the Engineering Thermodynamics group, you will work in a collaborative and international research environment, closely connected to partners across academia and industry. You will contribute to the development of predictive thermodynamic models and simulation tools that underpin next‑generation energy systems and circular chemical processes. The group values scientific interaction, intellectual curiosity and open collaboration, offering you the opportunity to strengthen your analytical and computational expertise.

Job requirements

We are seeking an inspiring and highly self‑motivated postdoctoral researcher. You have a critical and rigorous scientific mindset, are highly motivated, and possess strong project‑management skills. You can work independently while also being an effective team player, and are eager to collaborate closely with other researchers and industrial partners.

• A PhD degree in either applied physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or a similar field.
• Profound knowledge of chemical engineering fundamentals, and electrochemistry.
• Demonstrated expertise in recycling of critical raw materials.
• You demonstrate effective communication skills in English.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 10 months temporary.
• A job of 38 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 21 June 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• The certificate of PhD degree, and English proficiency certificate if available.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.