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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

PhD Image Analysis Electrodes

Mission

We are offering a position as a full-time (100%) PhD Student in the Group of Energy Materials at EPFL, Sion. Our highly interdisciplinary Lab is part of the EPFL Mechanical Engineering Institute and specialised since 30 years in fuel cell and electrolysers, both high temperature (>600°C, solid oxide ceramics) and low temperature (<100 °C, proton and anionic exchange polymer membrane-based). Our fully equipped diagnostics lab mounts and investigates fuel cells / electrolysers, from components and single cells up to stacks and systems, testing durability/performance and identifying degradation phenomena. Experimental work is assisted by modeling and simulation on different levels. We are looking for a PhD student working specifically on the quantitative analysis of complex electrode micro- and nanostructures used in fuel cells and electrolysers. This involves the use of electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EDX) and X-ray computed tomography (XCT) available at EPFL Lausanne and Sion, and the use and development of image analysis code and routines. While a number of algorithms are available within our lab from year-long development, in this PhD thesis we collaborate with the EPFL Center of Imaging whose scientists bring in their specific competence with novel algorithms to analyse and quantitify the microstructures.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

  • Have full responsibility for your own dissertation
  • Research in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners
  • Experiment design and execution
  • Analyze and interpret experimental results
  • Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals
  • Present at international conferences
  • Participate in education and supervise student projects

More specifically, within this project, you will:

  • learn and develop image analysis methods and apply them to microstructures of fuel cells and electrolysers (electrodes, gas diffusion layers, pristine and aged)
  • use electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and tomography at EPFL's specialised Centers in Lausanne
  • work within GEM (Sion) and the EPFL Center of Imaging (Lausanne)
  • participate in a dedicated EU Project in which this PhD thesis is inscribed, which includes representation and reporting duties

Profile

  • A MSc degree in the fields of Material Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science
  • Prior familiarity with fuel cells / electrolysis and electrode microstructures is a plus but not a must.
  • Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team
  • Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, eager to learn, good organizational skills, rigor in experimental work
  • High level of motivation for academic research work
  • Fluency in English is essential [French or German or Italian would be an asset]

We offer

  • Employment at a institution ranked among the global leaders in engineering and technology
  • Support for professional development through training and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Flexible work environment promoting work-life balance
  • Language courses relevant to your role
  • International multilingual working environment
  • Discounts on public transport

Informations

The EPFL selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, in this case EDEY (Energy), EDMX (Materials) or similarly relevant.
Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

Your application should contain:

  • A motivation Letter
  • Your detailed CV
  • Contact information
  • The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

 

Application deadline: January 31st 2026

Contract Start Date: April 1st 2026 or as per mutual agreement

Activity Rate : 100

Contract Type: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years.

Reference : 1811

 

For more information, please contact: jan.vanherle@epfl.ch, chantal.donaghey@epfl.ch, edward.ando@epfl.ch










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