PhD candidates in materials, chemistry, or metallurgy can apply for a fully funded PhD on electrochemical purification and recovery from mixed Li‑ion battery waste at TU Delft, with a deadline of 23 March 2026.
Overview of the TU Delft PhD in Electrochemical Purification of Battery Waste
This PhD focuses on designing electrified processes to purify and recover valuable metals and graphite from mixed NMC and LFP Li‑ion battery waste streams. You will work in the Materials Production, Refining and Recycling group at TU Delft, in collaboration with TNO, under the ADAPT‑BATT project within the national Material Independence & Circular Batteries program.
Your research will optimize leaching from mixed battery waste, develop sustainable electrochemical separations for Cu, Al, Fe, and graphite, and test the performance of recycled materials in new cells. The role directly targets more efficient, lower‑emission recycling routes that meet EU regulatory demands and strengthen circular battery value chains.
Fully funded cover: salary, benefits, and duration
This position is a full‑time, fully funded PhD employment contract under the Dutch Universities Collective Labour Agreement, running for four years in two stages. You receive an initial 1.5‑year contract with a go or no‑go assessment at around 15 months, followed by a 2.5‑year extension if progress and performance are satisfactory.
The gross monthly salary ranges from about €3,059 in the first year to €3,881 in the fourth year for a 38‑hour week, plus 8 percent holiday allowance and an 8.3 percent end‑of‑year bonus. You will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School, which provides structured doctoral education, mentoring, and discipline‑specific and transferable skills training.
Beyond the core fully funded cover, TU Delft offers a customizable benefits package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution, as well as options for flexible work schedules. International candidates can access relocation guidance, social and networking events, and a dual career program supporting partners who are seeking jobs in the Netherlands.
Detailed eligibility for PhD in Electrochemical Purification
Eligibility combines academic background, research skills, and soft‑skill requirements aligned with experimental electrochemistry and hydrometallurgy. Below is a structured breakdown to check whether you fit what the group is looking for.
Academic background and degrees for the PhD in Electrochemical Purification
You must hold, or be close to completing, an MSc in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with strong relevance to battery materials or hydrometallurgy. A background in chemical engineering or related energy materials fields can also be suitable if you demonstrate robust knowledge of electrochemical processes and solution chemistry.
Your MSc training should include significant experimental work, ideally in wet chemistry, corrosion, electrochemistry, or extractive metallurgy, rather than purely computational or theoretical topics. You must also meet TU Delft Graduate School admission standards for PhD candidates, including English proficiency requirements, which are checked through recognized tests or equivalent prior education.
Technical skills and lab experience are required for the PhD in Electrochemical Purification
You need practical experience in hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry, such as leaching, electro‑winning, electro‑refining, or related aqueous processing of metals. Hands‑on practice in a chemical laboratory, including familiarity with lab safety, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures, is explicitly required for this project.
Experience with lithium‑ion battery recycling, black mass processing, or hydrometallurgical treatment of complex waste streams is considered a strong plus. A solid grasp of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and solution equilibria is important because you will optimize leaching and electrochemical separation conditions over multiple variables.
Soft skills, communication, and collaboration
Excellent communication in English is necessary, both written and oral, for scientific writing, presentations, and collaboration with TU Delft and TNO partners. You should be comfortable preparing technical reports, journal manuscripts, and conference talks on experimental results in battery recycling and electrochemical processing.
The team expects a proactive, self‑motivated researcher who can work independently while contributing to a broader multidisciplinary consortium. You must also be willing to collaborate with academic groups and industry stakeholders connected to the Material Independence & Circular Batteries program.
Eligibility summary table
| Dimension | Required for this PhD |
|---|---|
| Degree | MSc in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemistry, or a closely related field |
| Core skills | Hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, experimental wet‑lab experience |
| Desirable experience | Li‑ion battery recycling or similar metal recovery work |
| Language | Strong English, meeting TU Delft PhD admission criteria |
| Personal qualities | Proactive, self‑motivated, collaborative, and safety‑conscious in labs |
Application deadlines and starting date
The official application deadline for this fully funded PhD position is 23 March 2026, and late applications are not considered through email or post. The expected starting period is in the second quarter of 2026, subject to selection procedures, visa timelines, and contract processing.
You must apply online through the TU Delft careers system, which ensures your documents are processed within their central HR and Graduate School workflows. Because risk assessments for knowledge security are carried out at the final selection stages, you should apply well before the deadline to handle any follow‑up questions smoothly.
Apply Here: official TU Delft portal
You can apply for the fully funded PhD in Electrochemical Purification directly through the TU Delft online careers system using the following portal link. The application and all required documents must be submitted through this channel, as email or postal applications will not be processed.
For More Information Click Here
On the careers portal, search for “PhD in Electrochemical Purification and Recovery from Mixed Li‑ion Battery Waste” or use the Delft location filter to find the listing quickly. Create or log into your account on the platform before you start uploading your documents, because draft applications are usually tied to your user profile.
PhD in Electrochemical Purification Step-by-Step Application Guide
This step‑by‑step guide walks you through preparing a competitive application that meets TU Delft requirements and highlights your fit for the project.
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility and timeline
First, verify that your MSc degree discipline and expected graduation date satisfy the formal eligibility criteria for this fully funded PhD. Check that you can join around Q2 2026, accounting for your current commitments, visa processing times, and relocation plans if you are outside the Netherlands.
Review the TU Delft Graduate School admission requirements for English proficiency, and schedule any language tests early if needed to avoid delays. You should also reflect on your hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry experience, listing relevant courses, projects, and lab techniques that align with the advertised job requirements.
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Step 2: Prepare a targeted motivation letter
Draft a one to two-page motivation letter that clearly explains why you want this fully funded cover PhD and how your profile fits the project aims. Start by linking your previous research or industrial experience to hydrometallurgical metal recovery, electrochemical separation, or battery recycling.
Describe concrete examples where you optimized experiments, solved lab problems, or analyzed complex solution chemistry related to metal extraction or corrosion. Then connect your long‑term career goals to circular batteries, sustainable materials, or clean energy technologies, emphasizing how this PhD advances your trajectory.
Step 3: Build a strong, detailed CV
Update your CV to highlight degrees, thesis title, research projects, and any publications, posters, or conference presentations in materials or electrochemistry. Include dedicated sections for lab skills, listing techniques such as leaching experiments, electrochemical cells, analytical methods, and safety training relevant to battery waste processing.
Add teaching, supervision, or teamwork roles that show you can function effectively in a collaborative international research environment at TU Delft. Provide contact information for two or three referees who can speak to your research abilities, even if they are not explicitly requested on the position page.
Step 4: Write a clear MSc thesis abstract in English
Prepare a concise English abstract of your MSc thesis that explains the problem, methods, results, and significance in around two to three hundred words. Focus on experimental design, data interpretation, and outcomes that demonstrate your readiness for an independent PhD in electrochemical purification.
If your thesis is in a different field, highlight transferable skills like complex data analysis, method development, or multi‑step experimental workflows. Ensure the abstract uses clear technical English, because it is one of the documents explicitly requested by the TU Delft selection committee.
Step 5: Gather proof of English proficiency if needed
Check the Graduate School guidance to see which English tests and score thresholds TU Delft accepts for PhD admission, such as IELTS or TOEFL. If your previous degree was fully taught in English in a country recognized by TU Delft, you may qualify for a waiver, but verify this carefully.
Keep your test report or supporting documentation ready to upload or send if the department asks for it during later stages of admission. Demonstrating strong English proficiency up front reassures the committee that you can handle writing your dissertation and journal articles within the four‑year timeframe.
Step 6: Submit your application via the online system
Create a profile on the TU Delft careers portal, then locate the specific PhD vacancy using the job title or Delft location filters. Upload your motivation letter, CV, and English abstract of your MSc thesis as separate PDF files following the system prompts.
Double‑check that your documents are correctly attached and readable before confirming final submission, because the HR system routes them to the selection panel. Remember that applications by email or post will not be processed, so the portal is the only accepted channel for this fully funded cover position.
Step 7: Prepare for interviews and knowledge security checks
If shortlisted, you may be invited to one or more interviews with the supervisors and possibly other team members from TU Delft and TNO. Prepare to discuss your research experience, problem‑solving approach in the lab, and your understanding of Li‑ion battery recycling challenges and opportunities.
TU Delft also runs a risk assessment related to knowledge security at the late selection stages, based on information in your CV and motivation letter. You should answer any follow‑up questions thoroughly and transparently, as this process is part of their responsibility as a public research institution.
PhD in Electrochemical Purification FAQs
Is this PhD in electrochemical purification really fully funded? Yes, this is a full‑time employment contract as a doctoral candidate, with salary, benefits, and social security in line with Dutch university standards. The fully funded cover comes from the NWO ADAPT‑BATT project and the national Material Independence & Circular Batteries program, rather than from tuition waivers alone.
Do I need to pay any tuition fees?
Doctoral candidates employed by TU Delft do not typically pay separate tuition fees in the way MSc students do, because they are staff members. Instead, your salary and benefits package cover your living costs while you conduct research and follow the Graduate School’s doctoral education program.
Can international students apply for the PhD in Electrochemical Purification?
Yes, the position is open to qualified candidates from all countries who meet the academic and language requirements for TU Delft PhD admission. The university offers relocation support and a dual career program to help international hires and their partners settle in the Netherlands.
What documents are mandatory for the application PhD in Electrochemical Purification?
You must submit at least a motivation letter, a detailed CV, and an English abstract of your MSc thesis through the online portal before the deadline. Additional documents like English test scores or reference details may be requested later, especially during the graduate school admission steps.
Is prior battery recycling experience essential for the PhD in Electrochemical Purification?
Prior experience in lithium‑ion battery recycling is considered a plus, but not strictly mandatory if you have strong hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry skills. The supervisors primarily seek candidates who can design and run wet‑chemical and electrochemical experiments safely and creatively in a lab environment.
When will the PhD in Electrochemical Purification start?
The expected starting period is Q2 2026, though exact dates can depend on selection timelines, visa processing, and your personal availability. You should indicate the earliest realistic start date in your motivation letter, especially if you still need to finish your MSc or current projects.
Can I contact the supervisors before applying for the PhD in Electrochemical Purification?
Yes, the vacancy lists Dr. Shoshan Abrahami as the contact person for further information, and you may email concise queries about fit or scope. However, full evaluation of your profile will depend on a complete application submitted through the TU Delft careers portal before 23 March 2026.
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