Dr. Thomas Schmidt

Professor

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Biography

Thomas J. Schmidt is a distinguished leader in electrochemistry and energy research, currently serving as the Director of the Swiss Center of Excellence on NetZero Emissions since 2023 and Head of the Center for Energy Environmental Sciences at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) since 2018. He holds a full professorship in Electrochemistry at ETH Zürich, a position he has held since 2011. His research focuses on the development of materials, processes, and devices for renewable energy storage and conversion, with particular emphasis on hydrogen as an energy carrier. His work encompasses polymer electrolyte fuel cells, water electrolysis, CO₂ co-electrolysis, and redox-flow cells, integrating system engineering, component development, electrocatalysis, and advanced situ diagnostic techniques using neutron and synchrotron facilities. He earned his doctorate from the University of Ulm in 2000 and conducted postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Prior to his academic career, Schmidt led R&D programs at BASF Fuel Cell GmbH. He has secured CHF 100 million in research funding, supervised over 55 doctoral theses, and published more than 340 peer-reviewed articles. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the C.W. Schönbein Gold Medal and election to the Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

2023-01-01 — Present

Swiss Center of Excellence on NetZero Emissions • Switzerland

Leading the center focused on achieving net-zero emissions.

Head

2018-01-01 — Present

Center for Energy Environmental Sciences • Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)

Overseeing research in energy and environmental sciences.

Full Professor

2011-01-01 — Present

ETH Zürich • Zürich, Switzerland

Teaching and conducting research in electrochemistry.

R&D Leader

2006-01-01 — 2010-01-01

BASF Fuel Cell GmbH • Germany

Led research and development programs in fuel cell technology.

Awards

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C.W. Schönbein Gold Medal

2019-01-01
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Fellow

2019-01-01
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Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award

2010-01-01
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Election

2022-01-01

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.