The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Chemistry invites applicants for the position of

Postdoctoral researcher in Catalysis and Surface Chemistry (1.0 FTE)

Vacancy number: 23-160

Project description
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the group of Dr. Irene M.N. Groot at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science. The candidate will develop an operando scanning tunnelling microscope suitable for studies of catalytic reactions up to temperatures of 1200 K (high-temperature ReactorSTM). The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the Fine Mechanical Department. After successful development of the microscope, the first reaction to tackle will be the partial oxidation of methane.

Selection criteria
Applicants should have a PhD in Physics or Chemistry or a related field (or have submitted their thesis before the start date). Experience with ultrahigh vacuum equipment and scanning probe microscopy is required. Knowledge of COMSOL MultiPhysics is an advantage. Effective communication skills to supervise and train junior researchers in the laboratory is a must. The candidate is encouraged to apply for independent fellowships that will support their future career development.

The position is available immediately; The candidate should start before September 2023, but preferably earlier.

Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time, one year term position, with the possibility of renewal for maximum one more year depending on the performance and starting date. Salary ranges from € 2.960,-  to € 4.670,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at

Our organisation
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from mathematics, artificial intelligence, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and almost 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see https://www.science.leidenuniv.nl

The Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) is organized around two major research areas: ‘Chemical Biology’ and ‘Energy & Sustainability’. The institute’s research themes illustrate the central position of chemistry between biology, medicine and physics. The various research topics carried out within these themes are ideal for executing interdisciplinary research.