Unite!Energy Doctoral Network: 12 doctoral positions officially open!

The network is being funded by the EU for four years with around 3.2 million euros. The call for applications for the 12 doctoral positions of the MSCA Unite!Energy, born within the Unite alliance, is officially open.

The application deadline is the 6th of June 2024 (the call for DC6 and DC7 positions closes the 31th of May).

A fundamental problem of the energy transition is that the demand and the production of renewable energies do not sufficiently coincide - neither in terms of time nor location. Electricity can be generated in an environmentally friendly way, for example by converting wind, water or solar energy. However, the electrical energy generated in this way is usually not needed on site. In addition, the energy must be available where it is needed, reliably and independently of external factors. 

It is therefore essential to store energy, transport it and then release it again elsewhere. Hydrogen is such a storage medium. With the help of electricity, water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. If the electricity for electrolysis comes from renewable energies, this is known as "green" hydrogen. The hydrogen obtained in this way can now be stored and distributed. In the reverse process, for example in a fuel cell, the stored hydrogen is allowed to react with oxygen in order to convert the energy stored in the hydrogen back into electricity. 

In this context, the MSCA-funded Unite.Energy project brings together European universities, corporations, and institutions in an effort to harness hydrogen as a chemical energy storage medium, produced through cutting-edge electrolysis and photoelectrolysis methods. This transformative endeavour seeks to reduce costs across the board, from production to storage and utilisation, while maximising environmental efficiency. Beyond technological advancements, Unite.Energy aspires to nurture a new generation of enterprising researchers, fostering integration of hydrogen in the energy sector through interdisciplinary excellence.

For more informations about applications vist the Unite! website.