📝 Summary
The Van der Heijden Lab at the University of Waterloo, Canada is recruiting a fully funded PhD student in Chemical Engineering. The research will focus on electrochemical reactor engineering, flow-cell design, process optimization, and scale-up of chlor-alkali electrolysis technologies.
This is a hands-on opportunity for candidates interested in designing, building, testing, and optimizing real electrochemical engineering systems—from laboratory-scale reactors to integrated prototype systems.
Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Reactor Engineering & Scale-Up for Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis
🎓 Designation
PhD Student – Chemical Engineering
🔬 Research Area
- Electrochemical Reactor Engineering
- Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis
- Flow Electrolyzers & Flow-Cell Design
- Electrochemical Process Engineering
- Reactor Scale-Up
- Mass & Heat Transfer
- Instrumentation and Sensors
- Process Control & Automation
- Electrolyte Management
- Technology Development
📍 Location
University of Waterloo, Canada
🎯 Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong interest in engineering design, prototyping, experimental systems, and technology development.
- Hands-on experience building, testing, or operating experimental systems.
- Experience with CAD, fabrication, instrumentation, sensors, controls, automation, or process engineering is an asset.
- Experience with electrochemical systems is an asset.
- Strong problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Applicants must be able to begin their studies in January 2027.
💼 Job Description / Research Responsibilities
The selected PhD researcher will work on:
- Designing and optimizing electrochemical reactors and flow electrolyzers.
- Developing flow fields and electrolyte management strategies.
- Fabricating, instrumenting, and experimentally testing reactors.
- Studying thermal, mass-transport, and reaction engineering phenomena.
- Developing continuous-operation and process-optimization strategies.
- Scaling electrochemical technologies from laboratory systems to integrated prototypes.
- Implementing process monitoring, sensor integration, and control strategies.
- Translating laboratory concepts into practical and scalable electrochemical technologies.
💰 Funding
Fully Funded PhD Opportunity
📅 Last Date to Apply
September 7, 2026
📝 How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the designated Google Form only.
Required materials include:
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- Completed questionnaire
🔗 Application Form: https://lnkd.in/dBp5E_YJ
⚠️ Important: Applications sent by email will not be reviewed. Do not email application materials directly.
🔗 Learn more about the Van der Heijden Lab: https://vdheijdenlab.com/
If you enjoy designing, building, testing, and scaling real engineering systems and want to contribute to the next generation of industrial electrochemical technologies, this PhD opportunity could be an excellent fit.
