PhD position in Synthesis and Characterization of Well-Controlled Multi-Metallic Alloys for Selective Oxidation Reactions – DTU Physics

The Section for Surface Physics & Catalysis (SURFCAT) is looking for outstanding candidates for a PhD position within synthesis and characterization of well-controlled multi-metallic alloys for selective oxidation reactions.  

The position is one of the 9 PhD and 5 postdoc positions in the 2023 CAPeX PhD and Postdoc cohort  call. 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 is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University (AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, 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 CAPeX and the other 2023 cohort positions at http://www.capex-p2x.com . 

Project descriptions
Developing electrochemical synthesis routes for high-value chemicals would enable a sustainable chemical industry based on renewable electricity. A particularly promising class of reactions is the partial oxidation of organic compounds into high-value chemicals. The electrode potentials can be used to tune the oxidizing power of the reaction, but new catalyst materials are needed to not only lower the energy cost but also help steer the selectivity.  The successful candidate will be working on well-controlled depositions (e.g., by physical vapor deposition or use of cluster sources) and characterization of multi-metallic thin-film and nanoparticle alloys for selective electrochemical oxidation reactions. 

Characterization will use e.g. XPS, ISS and TEM to probe dispersion and chemical state of the prepared catalyst materials. The work will be in close collaboration with other CAPeX members who will provide computational screening studies for alloy composition and geometric structure, e.g., confined domain sizes. Similarly, a close collaboration with electrochemistry-focused CAPeX members for the catalytic activity/stability testing will be established.   

Qualifications
The successful candidate will have obtained excellent grades in his/her Bachelor and Master educations. Candidates should have a Masters’ degree in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science by the time they commence the project. Candidates who have shown interest/had experience in surface science, UHV and electrochemistry are preferred. Furthermore, the candidate should be highly motivated and willing to work in a team. Good communication skills in both spoken and written English are a requirement. 

Approval and Enrollment of PhD Students
The scholarship is subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled at the DTU Physics PhD School. For information about the general requirements for enrollment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .  

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Jakob Kibsgaard, DTU Physics, Professor María Escudero-Escribano, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), and Professor Nini Pryds, DTU Energy. 

We offer 
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointments will be for 3 years and be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union. The successful candidate expected to spend a minimum of 6 months at Stanford University.

The employment is expected to start 1 August 2023 or soon thereafter.

Further information
If you need further information concerning the position, please contact Professor Jakob Kibsgaard at [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Physisc at www.fysik.dtu.dk/english . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 25 June 2023(Danish time). 

When applying, you must indicate if you have also applied for other positions in the 2023 CAPeX PhD cohort call . When relevant, you are encouraged to do so, and please indicate which positions you have applied for.

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. 

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DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.