Are you interested in understanding and improving electrocatalysts for the sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide from water and oxygen, do you want to work at the interface of fundamental and applied research? Are you holding an MSc degree in either (physical) chemistry or catalysis? In that case we, the biobased chemistry and technology group of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), have a PhD vacancy which is interesting for you. We are looking for a PhD in electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production.

What are you going to do?
As a PhD candidate, your project entails the following elements:

• preparation of carbon based catalysts with different physico-chemcial properties;
• characterization by different techniques like IR, TEM, XRD, Physisorption, Chemisorption;
• establishing the performance of the catalysts;
• collaborating with scientists from different fields within Europe within the power2hype project.

The research is embedded within the chair Biobased Chemistry and Technology which is led by Prof. Harry Bitter. You will be co-supervised by dr.ir. Tomas van Haasterecht and dr.ir. Akbar Asadi.

You have:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in (chemical)catalysis preferably in the field of electrocatalysis;
• a drive for performing scientific research;
• independent working skills;
• willingness to contribute to mentoring MSc and BSc students that work on this project;
• technical/engineering skills (builing labscale test setups).

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.541,-. per month rising to € 3.247,-. in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the " Best University " in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!