PhD Position – Development of Advanced Thermal Batteries for Energy Storage
The Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ, CSIC-UPV) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join its research activities in advanced materials for sustainable energy technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation thermal batteries based on thermochemical energy storage (TCES), aiming to provide efficient, cost-effective and scalable solutions for long-duration energy storage and renewable energy integration. The research will focus on the design and development of advanced redox-active metal oxides capable of reversibly storing and releasing thermal energy through high-temperature chemical reactions. The PhD project will combine fundamental materials research with applied engineering, including:
- Materials development: Design and synthesis of advanced metal oxides, including perovskite-based materials, for high-temperature thermochemical energy storage.
- Advanced characterization: Investigation of structural, chemical and morphological properties using techniques such as XRD, electron microscopy and thermal analysis.
- Thermochemical performance: Evaluation of energy storage capacity, redox kinetics, cyclability and long-term stability.
- Reactor development: Contribution to the design, optimization and testing of experimental thermal energy storage systems.
- Mechanistic understanding: Investigation of structure–property relationships governing reversible oxygen exchange and energy storage performance.
Candidate profile: Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or a closely related discipline.
Desirable qualifications:
- Background in inorganic materials synthesis and characterization.
- Knowledge of thermodynamics, reaction engineering or solid-state chemistry.
- Experience with high-temperature experimental techniques.
- Interest in renewable energy technologies and energy storage.
- Good communication skills in English.
- Motivation to pursue independent research in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
What we offer
- A fully funded PhD position (3 years) at ITQ (UPV–CSIC), a leading research institute in materials chemistry, catalysis and energy technologies.
- A multidisciplinary research environment with access to advanced synthesis, characterization and testing facilities.
- Opportunities for international collaborations, scientific publications and participation in international conferences.
- Training in advanced materials development, thermochemical processes and experimental reactor technologies.
- A doctoral research project combining fundamental scientific challenges with applications in the energy transition.
Location: Valencia, Spain
Contract duration: 3 years, with possibility of extension for a 4th year
Expected starting date: January 2027
How to apply: Interested candidates should submit a CV, a brief motivation letter and academic transcripts to:
Dr. Alfonso J. Carrillo Instituto de Tecnología Química, Valencia, Spain
Contact: alcardel@itq.upv.es
Application deadline: 15/11/2026
https://itqmembranes.itq.webs.upv.es/
A.J. Carrillo, J.M. Serra, Recent Progress on Redox Materials for High‐Temperature Thermochemical Heat Storage, Adv. Energy Sustain. Res. 6 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202400317.
A.J. Carrillo, J. González-Aguilar, M. Romero, J.M. Coronado, Solar Energy on Demand: A Review on High Temperature Thermochemical Heat Storage Systems and Materials, Chem. Rev. 119 (2019) 4777–4816. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00315.
