This position will be included in the framework of IPCEI Hy2Tech in FBK. 

FBK is involved in all the specific technical fields (TF) of IPCEI Hy2Tech, with the final scope to support the European H2 value chain and industry from TRL 3 to TRL7-8. 

The main activities involve:

• co-design and co-engineering of technologies. 
• (joint) Laboratory facilities, enabling validation and testing of technologies components, blocks, materials and strategies for multiscale power and several conditions. 
• Safety and controls: introducing proper design for safe technologies in the hydrogen sector, with digital tools at the support of new products and/or new processes. 
• Control development based on dynamic simulation. 
• Verified with SiL (Software In the Loop) and Hil (Hardware In the Loop) approach, and Territorial implementation for technologies and different end uses in industry, mobility, and territorial ecosystem.

The technical profiles advertised in this call are defined within the framework of an advanced training path, which requires applicants to participate in and be awarded positions within the Industrial Innovation Doctorate program promoted by the University of Trento (https://www.unitn.it/en/phd/industrial-innovation).

The positions offered by the Foundation, once activated, will be confirmed based on what must be considered an essential condition of the employment relationship—namely, participation in the above-mentioned industrial doctoral program.

Profile 1

Job Description 

The HyRES unit is looking for a profile  with competence and knowledge in hydrogen technologies and in advanced modelling techniques (ROM, ML and general AI)

The main foreseen activities are:

• Define and perform an experimental campaign to investigate the electrochemical performance of laboratory-scale PEM/AEM electrolysis cells to:
  • Identify the main critical aspects of cell design and operating
  • collect data for model set up and validation
• Develop a tool to optimize the design and the operational parameters of PEM/ AEM electrolysis cells:
  • The tool will be developed evaluating different techniques such as physics, data-driven or physics-informed models, aiming to assess electrochemical performances.
  • Data augmentation techniques might be adopted to overcome the lack of experimental data.
• Validate the tool with laboratory-scale PEM/AEM cells and with large-scale systems (area > 500 cm2, short-stacks with 3 or more cells)

Job requirements 

The Ideal Candidate should have:

• Master’s degree in mathematics, engineering (mechanical, chemistry, or similar), Material science, Physics or similar;
• Knowledge of low temperature water electrolysis
• Fundamentals of python and data analysis
• Language assessment according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): level of knowledge required. Knowledge of English will be verified during the interview on a technical or scientific topic and must be equal to or exceed level B2. Definitions of levels can be found at the following link https:/www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptors;
• Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills.

Profile 2

Job Description 

The HyRES unit is looking for a profile  with competence and knowledge in hydrogen sector and Advanced modelling techniques (CFD, ROM, system-level dynamic models, ML and general AI)

The main foreseen activities are:

• Develop a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based model to analyze the complex phenomena in hydrogen solid-state Metal Hydride (MH) unit.
• Identify drawbacks and disadvantages of the current design of the MH unit for different applications ( thermocompression, H2 storage).
• Understanding and analysis of the Pressure-Concentration-Temperature (PCT) characteristics of MH alloys.
• Assessment of limitations associated with the use of alloy pellets in the design of the single MH unit.
• Machine Learning methods to use the bank of output data from CFD to create a Reduced Order Model (ROM) of the MH Unit with data-driven approach.
• Encapsulation of ROM in a suitable and flexible Functional Mock-up (FMU) Unit by investigating advantages and disadvantages of Co-simulation and Model-Exchange mode.
• Implementation of FMU at the system level in the Modelica environment model by verifying the dynamic behavior of the component during the adsorption and desorption phases.
• Accurate analysis and implementation of control details in dynamic modelling to evaluate the thermal energy requirement, the MH Management and Control System.
• MH tank technology improvement by increasing the storage capacity (wt%), by solving the thermal transfer aspects, and by obtaining a high desorption pressure. 
• Verify and validate performance on a relevant scale. 

Job requirements 

The Ideal Candidate should have:

• Master’s degree in mathematics, engineering (energy, mechanical, chemistry, or similar) or Material science, Physics or similar;
• Knowledge about CFD principles and numerical methods;
• Knowledge of dynamic modelling tools.
• Fundamental of thermodynamics; 
• Language assessment according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): level of knowledge required. Knowledge of English will be verified during the interview on a technical or scientific topic and must be equal to or exceed level B2. Definitions of levels can be found at the following link https:/www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptors;
• Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills.

How to apply?

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form (https://hr.fbk.eu/en/jobs). Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format): 

• detailed CV; 
• cover letter indicating the profile of interest and why the candidate is suitable for the position selected.