진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) offers a fellowship program, the CTU Global Postdoc Fellowship. This new and attractive two-year fellowship-program offers excellent researchers who have recently completed their PhD the chance to continue their research career at CTU. Fellows receive a two year fellowship and become members of a team led by a mentor.

The scholarship applicant must meet the following conditions on the date of application:

• • be no more than 7 years since obtaining the first Ph.D. degree,
• • Ph.D. studies at a university outside the Czech Republic or have completed at least a one-year working research stay abroad (outside the Czech Republic),
• • be an author (co-author) of three or more publications in a journal with IF or CORE A*/A conference paper.

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent with applications in water treatment, air disinfection, food processing, and material coatings. It effectively eliminates pathogens and pollutants without leaving harmful residues. The most common method, surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD), uses micro-discharges to convert O₂ into ozone. Several key factors govern the discharge mechanism. The material of the active electrode determines its work function, which in turn affects Townsend breakdown characteristics and the secondary electron emission coefficient. Additionally, the dielectric properties of the material affect surface charge distribution and the overall electric field. The research on the influence of electrode material on the efficiency of ozone generation in SDBD represents an area that has not yet been sufficiently explored. To this aim, the present project will employ ab initio calculations to understand the atom-scale phenomena determining the electrode surface oxidation and the relative electric conduction properties. Surface/ozone interaction will be analysed via electronic descriptors, to identify preferential ozone adsorption sites and activation barriers for oxidation reactions, and to estimate corrosion and degradation rates. The results will constitute guidelines to select the best candidate materials to produce electrodes for ozone production with enhanced performance and durability.

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field. Proficiency in ab initio calculations is required. Prior experience with molecular dynamics simulations is considered an advantage. Candidates will be expected to conduct simulations on Linux-based high-performance computing (HPC) systems. A strong command of English, both written and spoken, is essential.