PhD position on high-pressure CO2-to-Methanol and mechanistic studies

The project aims to gain decisive chemical and material insights into CO2-to-methanol catalysis under high pressure (up to 400 bar) for rational catalyst design. It seeks to elucidate surface chemical processes, and the electronic and geometrical structures of surface and bulk materials, along with their spatial variations, using spatiotemporal operando methodologies. Kinetic and mechanistic studies will be conducted. This project is a collaboration with other research groups in the Netherlands, synergistically enhancing the research quality by complementing each group's expertise.

The ideal candidate:

• has a MSc or draft MSc thesis in chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, and/or related area.
• is a highly motivated and an enthusiastic researcher, with a keen interest in catalysis. Experience with operando spectroscopy/methodologies such as vibrational and X-ray-based spectroscopy is a plus.
• is a strong experimentalist with a competent analytical and programming skills (or strong interest in data science).
• is fluent in English, has good communicative/reporting skills, and team working capacity.
• Available from 1 September 2024

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Department of Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical Engineering promotes the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge in chemical engineering, with a focus on materials for energy and health applications. We aspire to improve the quality of life in a sustainable society through discovery and innovation, the quality of life of our graduates through inspiration and teaching, and the quality of life of our peers through collaboration and exchange. With a proud heritage in chemical engineering, the department seeks to break new ground in areas where molecular understanding and engineering design meet.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 August 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents as PDF files:

• A one-page motivation letter that is specific to this vacancy
• A detailed CV
• Contact information of at least 2 reference (name + e-mail)

Applications submitted by email cannot be considered. Please submit your application via the portal. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. The position will remain open until 15 August, but the position may be filled if we find a suitable candidate. This mean, please apply asap if you are interested!  

Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here  for more information.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Atsushi Urakawa ([email protected] ).