The transition towards a circular, fossil-free chemical industry requires new routes to convert renewable carbon feedstocks and CO₂ into high-value chemicals and materials. Furan derivatives obtained from biomass are promising building blocks for sustainable polymers and specialty chemicals, while electrochemical carboxylation offers the opportunity to incorporate CO₂ under mild conditions using renewable electricity.
Developing selective, scalable processes could therefore support both CO₂ utilization and the defossilisation of chemical manufacturing.
What you do
- You will develop and scale up the electrochemical carboxylation of furan derivatives, targeting products including 2-furyl(hydroxy)acetic acid and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA).
- The research will initially focus on identifying suitable electrode materials and optimizing reaction conditions, electrolyte composition, and solvents, using three-electrode configurations and organic carbonate-based media.
- Building on these results, the researcher will translate the reaction to continuous-flow electrochemical cells, investigating selectivity, reaction rates, mass transport and process stability.
- You will perform your research in a multidisciplinary research team.
- The research group focuses on the fundamental and applied aspects of catalyzed reactions relevant to a clean, sustainable future.
- Primary interest lies in the interface of heterogeneous catalysis and materials design, with a strong emphasis on elucidating the mechanism of (electro)catalytic reactions.
- The electrochemistry team's research focuses on electrocatalysis and electro(catalytic) synthesis for sustainable processes and the production of high-value chemicals, such as fuels and organic molecules, from “waste” substrates, for example, carbon dioxide and biomass.
- The main aim is to understand, develop, and optimize electrochemical reactions under practical, relevant conditions to take a step further in using electrochemistry at industrial scale.
- This work will be carried in close collaboration with an expert on the fields of reaction and catalysis engineering. The expert aims to develop novel technologies to intensify sustainable processes, in particular, the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals and fuels.
What they ask
- Motivated researcher, with a PhD in electrochemistry or electrocatalysis research, or a comparable domain.
- Ability to conduct high-quality academic research, reflected in demonstrable outputs.
- A team player who enjoys coaching PhD and Master's students and working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
- A proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.
- Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.
Practical
- A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network.
- Work on a beautiful, green campus.
- Participation in the ABP pension scheme.
- High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- Excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
- Unlimited access to a modern on‑campus Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
- Support for wellbeing with free 24/7 access to mental health support.
- Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Postdoc Association that helps to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
- A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and a compensation for moving expenses.
How to apply
View the full assignment text and application details once your tailored application is ready.
Order a tailored application to view the full assignment and application details.
More context, less searching.
You get enough context to judge whether this job is relevant. The full brief, client details and next steps stay available inside the app.