The Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University offers a four-year postdoctoral position focused on advanced electron microscopy of Earth materials. This role is affiliated with the EXCITE² Network, supported by the European Union, comprising 19 imaging facilities. The primary objective of EXCITE² is to enable open access to these facilities across Europe and associated countries. The main effort of the new postdoc will go toward coordination of access to the electron microscopy facilities at Utrecht University, and there will be room to collaborate on a broad range of Earth-material science topics and jointly conduct research in AI-based microscopy.

Determining the intricacies of Earth materials is paramount for forging a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. These materials dictate the potential of subsurface energy storage and geothermal energy extraction and provide essential elements pivotal for advanced battery technologies. Yet, disturbances to these geological systems can pose risks, including human-induced seismic events and environmental problems. To address the pressing challenges surrounding sustainable development and a circular economy, we must facilitate comprehensive, multi-faceted analyses of Earth materials for a wide range of Earth-science fields.

You will benefit from access to Utrecht University's state-of-the-art electron microscopy centre. This facility boasts the latest generation of (cryo-)focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes (FIB-SEM), as well as (cryo-)SEMs furnished with cutting-edge, automated chemical (EDX) and crystallographic (EBSD) analytical systems. The centre also houses multiple (cryo-)transmission electron microscopes (TEM) as well as a double aberration-corrected (S)TEM equipped with highly sensitive EDX and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) functionalities. In addition, you can utilise advanced laboratory buildings equipped with chemical labs and a range of supplementary analytical instruments, including nanoSIMS, vibrational spectroscopy, and an electron microprobe. To support in-depth data analysis, you will also have access to high-performance computing power for advanced data analysis.

Joining our team means collaborating globally, ensuring broader access to forefront electron microscopes, and addressing pivotal Earth-material research challenges. They will play an instrumental role within the EXCITE community, driving the evolution of multi-scale microscopy methodologies.