In partnership with coworkers from the University of Groningen (NL), University of Aachen (DE), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE), and several technology providers and technology end-users, 2 PhD positions in the PCS group of the University of Twente are available to develop durable carbon-based electrodes for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) to the platform chemicals formic acid and formaldehyde. Within the collaboration framework, we will also develop a consecutive catalytic route to selectively reduce formic acid to formaldehyde. The project also aims at pairing the electrochemical reduction of CO2 with value added oxidation reactions, such as the oxidative valorization of biobased acids.

One PhD position in electrocatalysis at Twente is aimed at the validation of the feasibility of carbon based electrodes for stable and selective conversion of CO2 (to formaldehyde or formic acid), including material and reactor design, and process parameter optimization. Another PhD position aims to improve the understanding of the fundamental steps which lead to selective cathodic or anodic transformations, using state of the art infrared and Raman spectroscopies.

• You are highly motivated and an enthusiastic researcher (F/M).
• You have a MSc degree in Chemistry, Physics (Ph.D. student 2) or equivalent, with excellent experimental skills.
• You have a keen interest in Materials Science and bridging Chemistry and Physics.
• You have strong analytical skills and a keen interest in the interpretation of complex data.
• You are fluent in English.

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.770,- (first year) to € 3.539,- (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision

You will perform the research within the Photocatalytic Synthesis group (PCS), which is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology and the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology. The PCS group has a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international character, and it offers an outstanding infrastructure. The research focus of the department is on the conversion of electrical or solar energy into chemical energy, i.e., to drive in a sustainable manner reactions of environmental relevance, such as water splitting or reduction of carbon dioxide, among others.

The PCS group within the Cluster Process and Catalysis Engineering is a wonderful place to work due to the friendly atmosphere and enthusiastic colleagues, excellent facilities, challenging research and attention to social relations.