University of Central Florida
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate to support ongoing and new projects related to direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) and water electrolyzers (alkaline/anion exchange membrane systems). The successful candidate will contribute to the design, fabrication, testing, and characterization of materials and devices for clean energy conversion and storage.
Responsibilities:
Conduct experimental research on fuel cell and electrolyzer systems, including Electrode and catalyst synthesis.
Membrane and MEA (membrane electrode assembly) fabrication, Cell assembly and performance testing (e.g., polarization curves, EIS).
Design and execute experiments for materials optimization and degradation analysis.
Maintain and operate laboratory equipment, including potentiostats, impedance analyzers, gas flow systems, and temperature-controlled test stations.
Perform materials and surface characterization (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, BET, Raman, FTIR).
Analyze and interpret electrochemical and physicochemical data.
Prepare progress reports, technical documentation, and research papers.
Assist in writing proposals, manuscripts, and patents.
Supervise and mentor graduate/undergraduate students.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners in academia, government, and industry.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hands-on experience in fuel cell and/or electrolyzer R&D, preferably PEM-based or alkaline systems.
Strong background in electrocatalysis, membrane materials, or electrochemical testing.
Demonstrated experience with electrochemical techniques (CV, LSV, EIS, chronoamperometry, etc.).
Familiarity with nanomaterial synthesis and material characterization tools Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
Department
Office of Research - Nanoscience Technology Center (NTC) - Operations CG
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Schedule may vary as required.
Type of Appointment
Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Expected Salary
$57,000.00
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
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