Postdoc position in CO2 electrocatalysis

The electrochemical conversion of CO2 into energy-rich carbon-based products is a promising strategy to replace fossil-derived chemicals and advance a sustainable carbon economy. Among available catalysts, copper uniquely enables the reduction of CO2 beyond CO to more reduced products; however, it suffers from limited stability, selectivity, and activity. In particular, selectively converting CO2 into methane through electrochemical processes remains a major scientific and technological challenge.

Your job
This collaborative project between the Alta and Thevenon groups aims to address this challenge by developing molecular additives to functionalize metal-free electrodes for selective methane production. Building on our previous work, we seek to enhance the performance of our electrolyzer system — including current density, selectivity, energy efficiency, and long-term stability — while simultaneously gaining mechanistic insight at the molecular level.

As a postdoc in this project, you will play a key role in designing and synthesizing molecular additives, electrochemical evaluation, and mechanistic studies to advance the fundamental understanding and industrial scalability of CO2-to-methane conversion.

We welcome applications from motivated and creative researchers with:

• a PhD in electrocatalysis;
• expertise in material syntheses, surface chemistry, and analytical characterization;
• strong English skills, both in speaking and in writing.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• a PhD obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline;
• experience in synthetic organic and polymer chemistry.

• the opportunity to work in and with a team of leading experts;
• a full-time position for 1 year;
• a full-time working week and a gross monthly salary between € 3.546 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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The OCC research group is actively involved with various aspects of catalysis. New organometallic and coordination complexes are designed and synthesized in search of new catalytic properties in, e.g., polymerization, oxidation catalysis, or in the catalytic conversion of biomass. In the design of new catalysts and new catalytic procedures, the active sites of metallo-enzymes play an important inspirational role. In addition, new concepts in ligand design are pursued, e.g. through the development of cooperative and dinucleating ligands, and the design of ligands based on less traditional donor atoms like Si. Furthermore, research is done at the intersection of organic, inorganic and electrochemistry, that is on the design of homogeneous as well as heterogeneous or hybrid catalyst systems that will be used in catalytic organic syntheses, polymerization reactions, and the chemical transformation of renewable feedstocks, such as biomass, CO2 and recycle or waste streams. We are part of the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, which unites physicists and chemists.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please get in touch with Dr. Arnaud Thevenon via a.a.thevenon@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

We select candidates based on their qualifications, skills, and potential. Your background, gender, beliefs, or origin don’t matter. Candidates should be able to demonstrate motivation, eagerness to learn, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.