Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – PEM Water Electrolysis Systems and Balance of Plant

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, or a closely related field (awarded within the last five years).Demonstrated research experience in PEM water electrolysis, hydrogen technologies, process engineering, or related electrochemical energy systems.Strong understanding of process engineering principles, hydrogen plant design, instrumentation, process control, and industrial safety.Experience in process simulation and engineering software, with CFD modelling using STAR-CCM considered a strong advantage.Experience with industrial automation systems, PLCs, HMI/SCADA environments, and data acquisition. Familiarity with the Siemens automation environment will be considered a strong advantage.Experience with hydrogen generation systems, gas handling, compression, purification, storage, or refuelling infrastructure will be considered an advantage.Familiarity with GreenLight Innovation test stations and hydrogen system commissioning will be considered a strong advantage.Strong publication record and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary and international research team.The fellowship provides an opportunity to conduct research in state-of-the-art hydrogen laboratories, collaborate with leading national and international partners, publish in high-impact journals, and contribute to the development and commercialisation of next-generation PEM water electrolysis technologies.The initial appointment will be for a period of two years, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.Interested candidates should submit:A detailed CV;A list of publications;A brief statement of research interests;Contact details of at least two academic referees.Applications will be considered until the position is filled.Enquiries and applicationsProf. Dmitri BessarabovDirector, HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence (CoC)Faculty of Engineering, North-West UniversityEmail: [email protected]

The HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence (CoC) at the North-West University (NWU), Faculty of Engineering, South Africa, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join its internationally recognised research programme on PEM water electrolysis.The successful candidate will contribute to research and technology development with a particular focus on:Design, development, integration, and optimisation of PEM water electrolysis Balance of Plant (BoP) systems;Process design and system engineering of hydrogen generation plants, including water treatment, gas-liquid separation, hydrogen purification, thermal management, process instrumentation, and auxiliary systems;Development of process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), system layouts, and engineering documentation;Dynamic modelling, simulation, and optimisation of PEM water electrolysis systems under steady-state and transient operating conditions;CFD modelling using STAR-CCM for flow distribution, thermal management, multiphase flow, cooling systems, and BoP components;Development of automation, control, monitoring, and safety strategies for PEM water electrolysis plants, including PLC/HMI integration and industrial communication systems;System commissioning, troubleshooting, testing, validation, and performance evaluation of integrated hydrogen production systems;Techno-economic assessment, reliability analysis, and optimisation of PEM water electrolysis systems for commercial deployment.

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