PhD student position in CO2 electrocatalysis

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Empa’s Laboratory Materials for Energy Conversion focuses on materials and device innovation for sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies.

Your tasks

The research project focuses on understanding charge and mass transport in gas diffusion electrodes for CO2 reduction.

Your tasks will include:

• Developing innovative gas diffusion electrode architectures using electrospinning and spray coating
• Identifying parameters controlling activity, selectivity, and stability of gas diffusion electrodes during CO2 reduction combining electrochemical methods with gas and liquid product analysis
• Implementing operando and post-mortem characterization of gas diffusion electrodes

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with a MSc degree in chemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. Prior experience in electrochemistry and/or catalysis is an advantage. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently in the lab while collaborating effectively with our multidisciplinary team. Empa is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applications from female candidates. Join us in contributing to groundbreaking research in sustainable energy technologies.

Our offer

The position is embedded in a national research initiative, which aims at developing robust and practical pathways for sustainable fuels and platform chemicals. You will work in a vibrant international environment in a brand new laboratory building equipped with state-of-the-art experimental facilities located at Empa's campus in Dübendorf near downtown Zürich. As a PhD student at Empa, you will receive your PhD degree either from ETHZ or EPFL.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

DavidHeusser, HR Partner