Jobs and Positions
Please note that position announcement can only be posted for ISE members in good standing.
Send your announcement in a WORD file to the ISE Office (info@ise-online.org) and we will take care of the posting within 48 hours. PDF files are not accepted. The announcement will remain on the website for approximately for three (3) months.
May 2023
Two-year postdoc position in enzymatic bioelectrosynthesis at Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University
A two-year postdoc position in enzymatic bioelectrosynthesis at Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, starting from at earliest 01 September 2023. The submission deadline is 09 June 2023.
Enzymatic bioelectrosynthesis is an emerging field of using relatively-cheap electricity to drive biocatalysis reactions for the synthesis of high value-added molecules. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, i.e., NADH, is a very common electron donor used in many biological processes. NADH dependent enzymes are versatile to catalyze many useful reduction reactions. In this context, electrochemical NADH regeneration holds the key for enzymatic bioelectrosynthesis. This postdoctoral position is announced as part of the project called “Enzymatic Bioelectrosynthesis for Developing Novel Pharmaceuticals” funded by a Novo Nordisk Foundation Start Package grant with the aim of establishing a compact system for electrochemical NADH regeneration and enabled chiral molecule synthesis.
For further information, please refer to https://www.stillinger.aau.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/vis-stilling?vacancyId=1209738. To submit your application, click “Ansøg” at the bottom of the webpage. If you have any questions, please, contact Dr. Xinxin Xiao: xixi@bio.aau.dk.
April 2023
Two Ph.D. positions are available in the group of Jun.-Prof. Corina Andronescu (Technical Chemistry III – Electrochemical catalysis) at University Duisburg-Essen (Germany).
1. 1 Ph.D. position in the field of CO2 electroreduction – 2204b-22
Participation in the DFG project "CO2 electroreduction catalyst discovery by high-throughput experimentation: From screening of thin-film material libraries to gas diffusion electrodes". This is a cooperative project between the groups of Corina Andronescu (University Duisburg-Essen) and of Alfred Ludwig (Ruhr-University Bochum), recently funded by the DFG.
The employed person will implement the activities in the Andronescu group, where the electrochemical evaluation of the catalyst material/electrodes developed in the Ludwig group will be carried on. Several electrochemical techniques are planned to be used in this project, such as electrolyzer testing and nano-electrochemical measurements performed using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). An intense exchange is planned between the two co-workers who will work in each of the two mentioned groups.
Detailed description and information can be found at: ausschreibungstext_2204b-22e_wiss_AG-Andronescu_eng_DFG-CO2-1.pdf (uni-due.online)
2. 1 Ph.D. position in the field of N2 electrooxidation – 2205b-22
The Ph.D. student will be affiliated with the activities presently conducted in the UNODE research group, in which consortia formed by renowned scientists from Germany explore alternative anodic reactions which can be paired with H2 production via water electrolysis (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/for2982/index.htm).
Electrochemical testing of different electrocatalyst materials, data evaluation, analysis of the results, correlation of the electrochemical data with the structural data, and manuscript writing are planned. Detailed description and information can be found at: ausschreibungstext_2205b-22e_wiss_AG-Andronescu_eng_WISNA.pdf (uni-due.online)
A 3-year contract is offered (salary level TVL 13 50%).
The application should contain the application letter + CV (+ 2 recommendation letters) and should be submitted via e-mail to corina.andronescu@uni-due.de by 18.05.2023
April 2023
4 years PhD / 3 years PostDoc position: Operando Electrochemical STM
In order to prevent our children inheriting a huge environmental problem in the future, we quickly have to realize the energy transition to renewable sources, which requires devices like electrolyzers, fuel cells, catalysts, and batteries, to name only a few. However, many of these devices suffer from its economic feasibility, due to low activity, low selectivity, or even deterioration. Further improvements require a bottom‐up approach with fundamental research at the atomic scale to gain full insights on the involved atomic processes at the electrode surface under operating conditions.
To contribute to this cause, we have developed a unique, homebuilt Electrochemical Scanning Tunneling Microscope (ECSTM) that is capable of measuring in full operando conditions! This allows to observe the electrode, and its changes, on the atomic scale, while running e.g. a real electrochemical reaction:
see the examples under https://www.youtube.com/@DrMRost
As we also developed the control electronics by ourselves, which still holds the world record on several technical aspects, we are completely flexible to any desired changes allowing a quick implementation, if new functionality is needed to measure a certain aspect.
We do have two openings regarding the following topics:
1) Structural Evolution of Electrocatalytic Surfaces in Action
It is obvious from the electrochemical literature that certain surfaces undergo significant changes, while running a reaction or applying certain electrochemical conditions. This clearly hinders from a full understanding. To shed a light into this darkness, this project aims on the direct observation of the surface under reaction conditions to observe, identify, and quantify the underlying atomic processes that lead to structural changes, and to correlate them to the applied electrochemical reaction
2) Towards Cyclic Voltammograms with nm Resolution
One of the holy grails in electrochemistry is the identification of atomic active sites on the surface, which can be extracted from cyclic voltammograms. However, the best lateral resolution achieved is in the order of 50nm, which smears out any atomic details. The project aims on pushing this (technical) boundary to the extreme, probably even by inventing completely new ways of measuring with an SPM. The identification of single atomic active sites on the surface surely would have an enormous impact.
Employed at LION (physics), you will greatly benefit from a beautiful collaboration between Prof. M.T.M. Koper (chemistry: electrocatalysis and electrochemical surface science) and Dr. M.J. Rost (physics: surface science, nanotechnology, and STM/AFM technology), both two experts in their fields, which ensures exciting, new groundbreaking, and timely research.
Requirements: handy experimentalist with knowledge (deep affinity) in technical aspects, like mechanics, electronics, computer control, and programming; physicist with openness/interest in electrochemistry; electrochemist with interest in fundamental surface physics. SPM knowledge is a pre.
Literature: see publications on webpage
Contract: full time (PhD student 1+3; PostDoc 1+2) with decent salary and secondary benefits.
Contact: Please send your application with a complete CV and a motivation letter with reference(s) to Dr. M.J. Rost: rost@Physics.LeidenUniv.nl / www.physics.leidenuniv.nl/rost
April 2023
Postdoctoral Research Associate Texas Tech University
The candi
date will work in Dr. Botte’s laboratories (https://www.ceti-lab.com) and/or the NSF Engineering Research Center, CASFER (https://www.casfer.us) and will perform work under supervision her supervision and senior research associates with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of projects.Example projects include electrochemical extraction of/and recovery of rare earth elements from solid fuels and produced water, hydrogen production from ammonia, conversion and recovery of N and P from waste, synthesis of carbon nanostructures and graphene, water remediation and disinfection, selective catalytic reduction, ammonia synthesis, novel materials for batteries, advanced electrowinning, electrochemical microbial sensors, technoeconomic analysis, and Life cycle analysis.
Key Skills Required
• Background in Electrochemistry. Demonstrated publications
• Optimize electrode architecture, materials selection, and operating parameters of electrolyzers
• Design and execute technical evaluations to improve efficiency
• Develop bench-and field-scale prototypes
• Establish accelerated testing protocols to optimize reactor cycle life and durability
• Demonstrated experience on preparing and presenting technical reports
• Demonstrated experience on writing proposals
• Demonstrated experience in technoeconomic analysis and/or life cycle analysis
• Excellent communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Analytical and creative capacity
• Good human relations
• Ability to work in groups
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet aggressive project timelines
• Self-motived and highly driven
Required Qualifications
PhD in area of project specialization. Knowledge of modern research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions and other outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public. Ability to plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
• Electrolyzers design and scale-up
• Materials science understanding
• Knowledge of rapid prototyping/manufacturing, test rigs assembly
• Experience with fluid flow and multiscale physics modeling packages such as COMSOL, ASPEN, life cycle analysis
• Proficient at CAD or SOLIDWORKS; FLUENT, finite element analysis
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25898&siteid=5635&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=790528#jobDetails=790528_5635
March 2023
High performance photoelectrodes for the production of green hydrogen by artificial photosynthesis
Thesis offer at ISCR / MaCSE team/ University of Rennes
Contacts:
Gabriel Loget (gabriel.loget@cnrs.fr)
Bruno Fabre (bruno.fabre@univ-rennes1.fr)
Description:
The most important technological challenge of the new century is to produce and store clean, renewable and inexpensive energy. Water photoelectrolysis offers a promising solution to convert solar energy directly into hydrogen, which can be stored and used to produce electrical energy on demand, without emitting greenhouse gases.
For the past decade, the MaCSE team at ISCR Rennes has been working on artificial photosynthesis, a concept that converts solar energy into solar fuel, usually dihydrogen, for on-demand use when solar energy is no longer available. To achieve this goal, the team is preparing, modifying, and studying photoelectrodes based on photoactive semiconductor materials such as silicon and metal oxides, as well as materials from the III-V family. These results have been published in several recent publications. The MaCSE team is also partner of the "NAUTILUS" research project on decarbonized hydrogen, funded by the priority research programs and equipment (PEPR), part of the national strategy "France 2030". In that context, the aim of this thesis is to modify and determine the photoelectrochemical properties of the III-V/Si electrodes developed by the project partners using photoelectrochemical techniques. The ultimate objective is to design a self-contained, robust and low-cost photoelectrochemical cell for efficient hydrogen production. This work will be carried out in close collaboration with the partner laboratories (FOTON-Rennes-semiconductors physics, CINaM-Marseille-protection/corrosion, C2N-Paris-Saclay-microscopy/EBIC, IEM-Montpellier-2D-catalysis) and will benefit from the equipment (modification, characterization and electrochemistry) and the skills of the ISCR.
References:
B. Fabre, et al. Acc. Mater. Res. 2023, 4, 2, 133–142.
L. Chen, et al. Adv. Sci. 2022, 9, 2101661.
G. Loget, et al. Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 3522.
J. Tourneur, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 11954.
Profile:
The candidate should have a Master degree, or an Engineering degree, with if possible a strong background in physical chemistry and/or solid chemistry. A particular interest in electrochemistry will be appreciated. The applicant should have a strong interest in experimental work in an interdisciplinary environment between chemistry and physics. Fluency in English is required (written and oral). Good knowledge of French is desirable.
Host laboratory:
The Institute of Chemical Sciences of Rennes (ISCR-UMR6226) is a Joint Research Unit associating the CNRS, the University of Rennes, the ENSCR and the INSA. This institute results from the merging of all the academic forces in chemistry on the site of Rennes. It brings together more than 290 permanent staff with a total of nearly 500 people in 8 teams. The researcher will be recruited in the MaCSE team and will work under the supervision of Bruno Fabre and Gabriel Loget. This project will be carried out in collaboration with the partners of the NAUTILUS project.
Other information:
Starting date: between September 1, 2023 and November 1, 2023
Thesis supervision: Bruno Fabre, Gabriel Loget
Funding: ANR PEPR NAUTILUS - France 2030
Salary: 2135 € gross monthly
Keywords: photoelectrochemistry, III-V semiconductors, silicon, hydrogen, HER, OER
Application:
Applications must be made before June 02, 2023. In this context, it is strongly recommended to contact the supervisors as soon as possible to indicate your interest in the subject.
All applications must include the following elements:
- Letter of motivation
- Detailed CV
- Copy of diplomas obtained
- Report cards
And, optionally:
- List of publications if applicable
- Letters of recommendation