Job description

Producing carbon-neutral hydrogen at scale and low cost is essential for a sustainable energy and materials system. Cost reduction will come from cheaper electricity, innovation, market growth, scaling, standardisation, and supply chain development. Multiple hydrogen production technologies from electricity are under development, with varying maturity and applications.

This research project focuses on mid-term cost reduction and long-term innovation of various hydrogen generation technologies: water electrolysis (different types, alkaline, PEM, SOEC, AEM), methane pyrolysis (plasma) and system integration. Our focus in on the system integration, taking into account the different characteristics of the technologies in play (hydrogen generation plants), their location (integration optimisation at plant and cluster level, sector coupling), and their integration with the electricity grid.

To address these issues, you will develop state-of-the-art optimisation models to:

• Identifying synergies and integration opportunities within hydrogen production processes (e.g., feedstock preparation and product separation).
• Minimising energy and resource use through efficient heat exchange, waste heat recovery, and optimised process conditions.
• Assessing and reducing environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
• Validated with literature and consortium data and in case studies defined by the consortium.

This postdoctoral position is funded by the "Nationaal Groeifonds", through the HyPRO project: "Towards flexible, durable, and high-performance Hydrogen Production Technology", connecting 17 leading research organisations in the Netherlands (10 universities, 2 institutes of applied sciences and 5 universities of applied sciences), 7 leading international end-users coming from the refinery, chemical and energy sectors and 34 high tech companies covering the full value chain. These high tech companies are active in activities ranging from the development of equipment for manufacturing of unique coating technologies, to developers of key components, such as electrolyser stacks and/ or systems for the Balance of Plant (BoP). One of the main purposes of HyPRO is to provide research and development direction for green hydrogen production technologies in the NL and in the EU.

This position will sit at the Energy and Industry section of the Technology, Policy and Management Faculty of TU Delft, with Dr. Mar Pérez-Fortes, and will be co-supervised by Dr. Ana Somoza-Tornos, from the Process Systems Engineering section of the Applied Sciences Faculty of TU Delft. The candidate will join both teams, with a focus on the production of hydrogen (and green chemicals), and the electrification of the industry and renewables based energy storage via integration of electrolysis processes.

Job requirements

We are looking for a researcher who has:

• A PhD degree in science, engineering or economics (must have been awarded by the agreed-upon starting date).
• Prior research experience in electrolysis-based plant modelling, techno-economic assessment and heat management, and/or multi-objective optimisation.
• Experience modelling flexible operation of electrolysers, interacting with the electricity grid.
• Very good written and spoken communication skills in English (Dutch is not required).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• A result-oriented attitude and enjoys working in an interdisciplinary group.

The following will make you stand out:

• Programming experience in Python, GAMS or a similar language.
• Process modelling in Aspen Plus, gPROMS or similar.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years Temporary external finance
• A job of 30-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Ana Somoza-Tornos and/or Prof.dr.ir. Andrea Ramírez, emails: a.somozatornos@tudelft.nl and c.a.ramirezramirez@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 6 February 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Detailed CV
• Motivational letter
• Names and contact information of at least 3 relevant references

For information about the application procedure, please contact Ellen Vendrig (e.m.m.vendrig@tudelft.nl).

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.