Junior Scientist/Engineer - Modeling and Simulation of Flow Batteries (PhD)
Thalwil,
Switzerland
Are you ready to drive change in the energy transition and make a positive impact on the climate? Join Unbound Potential (UP), a Swiss startup founded in 2023 by a group of passionate engineers, chemists, and economists from ETH Zürich.
We envision a resilient, electrified society—one that is independent not only from fossil fuels but also from critical mined materials such as lithium and vanadium. How will we achieve this? By developing a truly disruptive solution: a membrane-less redox flow battery powered exclusively by organic chemistry. Despite its name, our system is the simplest large-scale stationary energy storage solution you can imagine, suitable for both energy-intensive industries and utilities seeking affordable and sustainable storage options.
As a member of our Science and Engineering team, you will develop multiphysics models and simulations that capture the core phenomena of our technology and guide the design of our membrane-less systems. You will work closely with the engineering team to validate your findings with experimental data, playing a key role in predicting and optimizing system performance.
What you will do:
- Develop mathematical models to capture the multiphysics phenomena driving system behavior, bridging microscale processes and overall performance.
- Perform computational analyses (e.g., FEM) to evaluate design trade-offs related to cell architecture, flow distribution, and operational parameters.
- Collaborate closely with the engineering team and academic partners to validate models against experimental data.
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Clearly communicate model assumptions and limitations to non-expert audiences, and explain their impact on the results.
- Guide the design and optimization of next-generation membrane-less redox flow batteries.
- Author scientific reports, contribute to intellectual property development and patent filings, and represent UP at international conferences and key industry events.
What you will bring:
- Ph.D. in mechanical/chemical/process engineering, applied mathematics, applied physics, or related fields.
- Strong interest in understanding and modeling the interaction between flow fields with transport and electrochemical phenomena.
- 3+ years experience in modeling and performing FEM simulations in at least one of these domains: fluid mechanics, liquid interfaces, mass transport.
- Solution-oriented mindset with out-of-the-box thinking.
- Experience with modeling electrochemical devices (i.e., alkaline batteries, flow batteries, electrolyzers, fuel cells) (desirable but not mandatory)
- Experience with redox flow batteries (desirable but not mandatory).
You are
- A maker, willing to take initiative, seek solutions, and deliver tasks efficiently.
- Motivated to work in a dynamic, high-performance, collaborative, young and fun start-up environment.
- Strongly interested in the climate-tech space.
- Independent and detail-oriented.
- Passionate about driving the renewable energy transition.
- Excellent team player.
- Fluent in English.
What We Offer?
Join a highly motivated and young team. Be at the forefront of developing the next-generation large-scale energy storage solutions. Your role in the early stages of our exciting journey will make you key in developing and evolving UP, overcoming challenges, and celebrating success together.
For applicants coming from academic positions and/or without prior industry experience, we offer an initial one-year contract, with the possibility of transitioning to a permanent contract upon mutual agreement. .
Perks
Attractive salary package with multiple benefits
Trainings & Events
Trainings for professional growth and social events
Sports
Frequent sport activities and outings with colleagues
Work-Life Balance
Tons of opportunities to enjoy the time and do activities together
Sounds like you? We are looking forward to meeting you! Send us your CV and Motivation Letter combined in a single PDF through the "Apply Now!" button below!
Unbound Potential does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from candidates. We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from an unsolicited offer, even if the candidate is subsequently hired by Unbound Potential.