Postdoc in Experimental Surface Science and Electrocatalysis

Two-year postdoc opening in a project that investigates the fundamental surface properties of electrocatalysts used in energy storage and conversion. We seek a postdoc candidate with experience in physical chemistry and surface science for a new experimental project at the Interfaces and Catalysis group at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University. The project takes place within the ‘Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery’ (CAPeX).

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is for 24 months and is available from 1. June 2024 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Job description In the project, you will become part of a research team that investigates the surface structure and chemical properties of model systems for catalysis and electrocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop new insight needed to understand new catalyst materials for example in water splitting electrocatalysis and for CO2 reduction to C2+ compounds.

As a postdoc you will develop and lead a research activity within experimental characterization of electrocatalyst model catalysts using synchrotron photoemission spectroscopy, including near-ambient-pressure XPS (NAP-XPS),  scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in combination with in-situ and ex-situ electrocatalytic activity measurements.

During the project, you will interact with other research groups at Aarhus University and within the CAPeX center in Denmark, as well as the international partners of CAPeX. At Aarhus University, you will work in the experimental surface science group of Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen.

Publications on related topics:

• J. J. Gammelgaard et al., A Monolayer Carbon Nitride on Au(111) with a High Density of Single Co Sites. ACS Nano 17, 1748917498 (2023).
• Z. Sun et al., The Effect of Fe Dopant Location in Co(Fe)OOHx Nanoparticles for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS Nano 15, 1822618236 (2021).
• Z. Sun, J. V. Lauritsen, A versatile electrochemical cell for hanging meniscus or flow cell measurement of planar model electrodes characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy and xray photoelectron spectroscopy. Review of Scientific Instruments 92, 094101 (2021).

Your profile

Applicants for the postdoc position should hold a PhD degree in chemistry, physics or nanoscience with a successful and documented scientific record.  A PhD in equivalent disciplines may also be considered, if documentation for skills matching the position is provided.

We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with experience in experimental surface science studies, such as photoemission spectroscopy and/or ultra-high vacuum (UHV)-based scanning probe microscopy.

Documentation of technical skills within handling of UHV equipment, synchrotron work or previous experience with surface science experiments will be seen as an advantage. Experience in electrocatalysis and catalysis-related surface science studies will be a plus but is not required.  

Who we are

The project will be carried out in the Interfaces and Catalysis group (Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen) at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University. The group commands a range of experimental surface science techniques including a leading facility on scanning probe microscopy. The group is also very active users of synchrotrons, including the local ASTRID2 light source at Aarhus University and for example the nearby MAX-IV facility in Lund, Sweden. The work will be carried out in collaboration with groups at other international and Danish universities within the CAPeX center.

CAPeX is a 13-year and 300 MDKK “Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery”, funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX  unites leading experts from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Aalborg University (AAU), University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and the other open PhD and postdoc cohort positions at http://www.capex-p2x.com.  The position is one of the open positions in the 2024 CAPeX Postdoc cohort call

What we offer

The successful candidate is offered a 24-month postdoc position (with extension possibility) in a thriving and inspiring research group that investigates the fundamental properties of interfaces relevant for catalysis and renewable energy. The group has access to several state-of-the-art surface science platforms and infrastructure at iNANO that enable a strong microscopy and spectroscopy characterization of the materials. The research climate invites for lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research and a working environment with teamwork, close working relations, network activities among young scientists. The workplace is characterized by professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance. Since the group also consists of PhD and MSc students, we encourage you to be involved in training and co-supervision activities.

Place of Work The place of work is the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 

Contact Information For further information please contact: Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen, [email protected],

Tel: +45 2338 2369

Deadline Applications must be received no later than 29. February 2024.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment toits 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more atwww.international.au.dk/