Postdoctoral fellow nanocluster deposition

(ref. BAP-2022-604)

Laatst aangepast : 7/08/2022

The Cluster research group in the Quantum Solid-state Physics (QSP) section at KU Leuven is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral fellow for our project “Clusters for CO2 Electrolyzers to Ethylene” (CLUE), funded by the Flemish Strategic Basic Research Moonshot Innovation Program. The main goal of CLUE is the development of an efficient electrolyzer for durable electrochemical conversion of CO2 to ethylene using realistic and industrially-relevant CO2 streams and highly stable and efficient electrodes based on mono- and bimetallic deposited clusters. To achieve this goal, the CLUE consortium brings together four groups with unique expertise in Flanders ranging from novel catalyst development (KU Leuven-QSP), microscopic characterization (University of Antwerp-EMAT), application testing and process development (University of Antwerp -ELCAT and VITO, Mol). QSP is a section of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of KU Leuven specialized in experimental research of functional properties of solid-state systems. It consists of nine members of academic staff and more than forty doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers, operating a wide range of in-house facilities dedicated to thin film with extensive in-situ characterization capabilities, ion implantation and ion beam analysis, cluster production, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy and low-temperature transport and magnetization measurements. A large part of the research is also conducted at international large-scale facilities, such as the ISOLDE facility at CERN, synchrotron facilities (ESRF), free-electron lasers and neutron sources.

Responsibilities

The candidate will use a magnetron cluster-beam deposition instrument to deposit in vacuum size-selected mono- and multi-metallic nanoclusters/nanoparticles on various types of electrodes and characterize the cluster-modified surfaces by SEM, XPS, TEM and XAFS. New instrument developments allowing deposition on powders and large surface area electrodes should be implemented for scaling up nanocluster production, driven by industrial requirements. Due to the complex nature of the cluster formation in the high-pressure plasma sputtering environment, the candidate is expected to carry out aerodynamic and nucleation simulations to better understand which factors determine the growth of the clusters, a critical step for the scaling-up. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers within the CLUE network.

Profile

Candidates should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Nanotechnology or a closely related subject, be enthusiastic about experimental research, and ideally have a background in one or more of the following fields: nanoscale physics, material science, physical chemistry or catalytic chemistry. Expertise with cluster production, cluster beam deposition, physical/chemical vapor deposition, ion guiding, mass spectrometry, vacuum instruments, and finite element modelling are strong assets. Experience in one or several characterization techniques (SEM, XPS, TEM and/or XAFS), is highly desired, but not essential. Good command of English is required.

Offer

We offer a postdoctoral position initially for one year, which can be extended for two additional years. You will receive a competitive salary/scholarship and will be able to join a dynamic team of scientists. You will principally work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and multicultural city located in the heart of Europe but also regularly visit our partners in Antwerp and Mol and participate in XAFS measurements at different synchrotrons facilities.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Ewald Janssens, tel.: +32 16 32 72 07, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Didier Grandjean, tel.: +32 16 32 28 36, mail: [email protected].

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