15 PhD Positions in Zinc Energy Storage Technology KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven and a European consortium are recruiting 15 PhD researchers for the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ZEST – European Doctoral Network on Zinc Energy Storage Technology, funded under Horizon Europe. The positions are part of a collaborative network spanning leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners across Europe, including KU Leuven, Universität Bremen, University College London, Sapienza Università di Roma, Politecnico di Milano, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, and several industrial and applied research partners.

The project focuses on zinc-based energy storage as a sustainable alternative to conventional lithium-ion systems. Research themes include advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries, zinc-air batteries, zinc systems using non-conventional electrolytes such as deep-eutectic solvents and water-in-salt formulations, and approaches to improve recyclability and circularity of zinc batteries. The network aims to combine high performance with sustainability, addressing energy density, scalability, safety, and circular economy challenges in future energy storage technologies.

Successful candidates will join a structured doctoral training environment with scientific projects linked across the network, plus internships, secondments, transferable-skills training, workshops, and conference participation. The funding is MSCA Doctoral Candidate funding for 36 months, with an attractive salary package that includes a living allowance of approximately €4010 per month, a mobility allowance of approximately €710 per month, and, where applicable, a family allowance of approximately €660 per month (gross amounts subject to deductions and national rules).

Eligibility is important: applicants must be doctoral candidates without a PhD degree at recruitment, must satisfy MSCA mobility rules, and must have excellent English proficiency. A Master degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline is required; the call specifically mentions chemical engineering and materials engineering, and the broader project context also fits chemistry, physics, process engineering, and electrical engineering. Applicants should prepare a Europass CV, motivation letter, and transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Applications are submitted via the network portal at https://dn-zest.eu/. Candidates may apply for one to three DC positions and should indicate their preferences. The call states that the final online registration deadline is 27 November 2026, while the posting metadata lists 15 December 2026 as the application deadline. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment event in Bruges, Belgium, with research expected to start between April and November 2027.