Mechatronics Engineer

Power-to-X (PtX) technologies, including hydrogen production, are expected to address key challenges of the green transition that current electricity generation and storage methods cannot easily solve. In the coming years, these technologies are poised to become a major industrial sector and a critical enabler of a carbon-neutral society. However, many PtX solutions, particularly those involving hydrogen, still require significant advancements in performance, durability, efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness to reach technological maturity for scaling up to gigawatt levels for impactful deployment in the energy transition.

The ESRF plays a key role in the routine characterization of materials for Power-to-X (PtX) technologies. Currently, standard characterization methods are performed in a sequential manner, leading to suboptimal use of instrumentation and a heavy reliance on manual labor.

The ACTNXT project aims to transform this approach by developing high-throughput methodologies that enable parallelized characterization, significantly enhancing data acquisition rates and maximizing the efficiency of costly instruments. This shift will facilitate the generation of large, standardized datasets, providing researchers with powerful tools to accelerate the optimization of PtX technologies.

The sample environment unit is seeking a highly motivated engineer to design and develop automated instrumentation for high-throughput measurements. The tasks of the engineer will cover the entire process, from needs assessment and innovative design inspired by electrochemical cells and reactors, to integration across multiple ESRF instruments and beyond. A strong aptitude for learning and a passion for prototyping are essential. The sample environment team, with its expertise in prototyping and high-throughput instrumentation, will provide comprehensive support and training.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for an engineer to create and refine robotic instrumentation and to realize highly efficient experimental setups for parallel sample characterization. This project will be carried out in close collaboration with the scientists at the experimental stations.  

This role is ideal for someone with:

• A passion for prototyping and automation,
• A strong aptitude for learning and problem-solving,
• The drive to turn ideas into working, in-situ cells and robotic systems,
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with scientists at the cutting edge of science.

You will work closely with a dynamic, multidisciplinary team and benefit from extensive support and training in advanced prototyping and high-throughput setups.