PhD student in electrocatalysis for sustainable energy conversion

For more information about the vacancie

https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies/29872

Work assignments

The project focuses on the development and optimization of electrocatalysts and electrolyzer systems for sustainable energy conversion. The research will address both fundamental and applied questions in electrocatalysis, including water splitting, CO2 conversion, biomass-derived molecule upgrading, and other small-molecule transformations. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationships between catalyst structure, interfacial processes, local reaction environments, and electrochemical performance. The project aims to translate fundamental mechanistic understanding into broadly applicable strategies for catalyst and electrochemical system optimization.

For the full description see the complete announcement in the link above.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

Qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in chemistry or material or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in chemistry or material. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

A strong background in one or more of the following areas is considered meritorious:

• More than one year of hands-on laboratory experience in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, for water splitting, CO₂ conversion, biomass upgrading, or other small-molecule catalytic reactions.
• Materials chemistry, catalyst synthesis, characterization, or surface/interface science including electrolyte–electrode interactions and interfacial solvation. Experience with transition-metal-based electrocatalysts is considered a plus.
• Electrolyzer testing, reactor design, electrochemical system optimization.
• Operando characterization such as XRD, Raman, FTIR/ATR-SEIRAS, XAS, and EQCM. Experience in developing correlative characterization strategies to address mechanistic questions is valued.
• Scientific research and publication, particularly first-author peer-reviewed publications in surface and interface science, catalysis, electrochemistry, environmental engineering, or related fields.
• Industrial research or internship experience in areas such as flue-gas purification, energy-storage systems, or energy infrastructure for new-energy vehicles.
• International study, research, or industrial experience, together with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in additional languages is considered an advantage.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds who are motivated to work across disciplinary boundaries in electrochemical catalysis, spectroscopy, materials science, and sustainable chemical conversion.

The position requires good communication skills in English, both written and spoken. The candidate should be able to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. Important personal qualities include scientific curiosity, creativity, problem-solving ability, accuracy in experimental work, and a strong motivation to develop new methods and ideas.

The workplace

Your workplace will be the Lizhou Fan group at https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/ifm/mdesign, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University.

For the full description see the complete announcement in the link above.

Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 12 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org/research-school/

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at https://liu.se/en/research/doctoral-studies

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.

Starting date by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employee benefits is available https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/employee-benefits.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/help-for-applicants.

Application procedure

Your application must be received no later than the 2nd of October 2026.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: https://liu.se/en/article/lika-villkor/.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.