Job Information
Organisation/Company: Universiteit Leiden
Department: Instiute of Chemistry
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 20 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Amsterdam)
Country: Netherlands
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 38
Offer Starting Date: 1 Nov 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA
Reference Number: 16767 (DC10)
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101311389
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes
Offer Description
Objective
In this project, you will investigate how the properties of the electrode-electrolyte interface can be leveraged to optimize the activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalytic systems for H2O oxidation to H2O2, H2O reduction to H2 and NO3- reduction to NH3, in close connection to the catalyst development of DCs 8 and 12. Using operandoXPS and soft XAS, you will resolve the active electrode-electrolyte interface structure present under catalytic conditions, and study how it changes when the catalyst structure (e.g. crystallinity and elemental ratio) and electrolyte composition (pH, ions) are varied. By linking this to the observed activity, stability and selectivity, you will build interface design principles for electrocatalytic systems. During the project, you will collaborate with various partners in the consortium, including Doctoral Candidates (DC) 8 and 12 (catalysts), DC 11 (complementary SXRD), and DC 3 (complementary electron microscopy).
Expected Results
- Understanding the molecular-level origin of the effects of electrolyte ions and electrocatalyst structure in electrocatalytic H2, H2O2 and NH3 production.
- Establishing guidelines for the design of electrocatalytic interfaces.
Where to apply
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
This project is a good match for you if you like:
- Understanding electrochemistry at the molecular level
- Working with advanced measurement techniques
- Working as a team, both within the group and in collaborations with other institutes
You should feel comfortable working in a collaborative environment with experimentally complex experiments. Analytical thinking, creativity, and an independent working attitude are highly valued. Experience with electrochemistry, vacuum equipment, or in situ spectroscopy is considered an advantage.
You need a Masters Degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or closely related disciplines and a good level in oral and written English is mandatory.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities, with about 6400 staff, 34000 students and a prominent score in international rankings. Founded in 1575 in the historic city of Leiden, the university has a long tradition in fundamental science. To maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential.
The selected candidate will be required to enroll in a PhD program at Leiden University.
Main supervisor: Dr. Rik Mom, Leiden University
Co-supervisor: Dr. Yvonne Grunder, University of Liverpool
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/physics/research/condensed-matter-physics/
Co-supervisor from secondments:
Prof. Paolo Fornasiero, University of Trieste, https://meeresearch.weebly.com/
Prof. Martin Pumera, Central European Institute of Technology, https://energy.ceitec.cz/
The salary will comply with the rules of the 2025 MSCA Doctoral Network program under Horizon Europe and consists of:
- a living allowance (country correction coefficient applies),
- a mobility allowance (€710/month),
- and, if applicable, a family allowance (€660/month).
All amounts are subject to national taxation and social security regulations.
- Social Security coverage
- Training, Networking and secondment opportunities
- Career Development plan
The position is funded for up to 36 months under the MSCA Doctoral Network. In accordance with Dutch national regulations, the total duration of the employment contract extends beyond the MSCA-funded period to 48 months in total.
Start date: from 01.11.2026 but not later than 01.04.2027
Type of contract: Full-time employment contract in accordance with national regulations
Hours per week: full time 38.0 hours
Local language: While the local language in the Netherlands is Dutch, English is the main working language at the university. Furthermore, about 90% of Dutch people are able to speak English.
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.
This will receive funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 101311389.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
Eligibility will be verified at the time of recruitment.
Selection process
Applicants must submit
- CV (including a detailed description of residence and main activities over the last 3 years)
- Motivation letter
- Copies of academic degrees (including course/grade transcript)
- Contact details of 3 referees
Deadline: 20.09.2026
Recruitment will follow the MSCA Doctoral Network principles of:
- Open, transparent and merit-based selection
- Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
- Evaluation by a qualified selection committee
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews. The selection process will be properly documented in accordance with MSCA requirements. More details about the position, application procedure and recruitment can be found on the e-ChemIn webpage https://www.e-chemin-dn.eu .
Additional comments
The e-ChemIn network brings 12 academic and 6 industrial partners from 9 countries formed an international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral team. 15 Doctoral candidates will enjoy a multi-disciplinary and international environment with plenty of training opportunities and exchange with all labs involved in the Network.
The doctoral candidates will be hired in one of the following institutions/organisations:
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (DC1);
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (DC2, DC3, DC15);
- Stockholm University (DC4, DC13);
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (DC5);
- CIC energiGUNE (DC6, DC7);
- VSB Technical University of Ostrava (DC8);
- Royal Institute of Technology (DC9);
- Leiden University (DC10);
- University of Liverpool (DC11);
- University of Trieste (DC12);
- MONOLITHOS Catalysts and Recycling Ltd. (DC14)
Scientific background
The climate targets set by the EU with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 require a transformation of all sectors of the economy towards the use of renewables-based electricity, calling for joined forces between EU countries in order to achieve a more resilient energy system. In the e-ChemIn we are united by the idea of applying a new paradigm in designing energy devices, which shifts the current approach of creating individual materials towards engineering electrochemically ACTIVE MATERIALS INTERFACES. Working together we will: 1) design multiple sets of electrochemical interfaces using renewable, abundant, and circular materials and optimize them for new generations of energy conversion and storage devices. Created lab-scale prototypes which outperform characteristics of current benchmarks and will be ready for further developments at high TRLs (5-9); 2) develop multimodal approaches for the characterization of interfaces operando at the nanoscale, providing unprecedented insights into interfaces in action and making the characterization of active interfaces accessible to the broader scientific community; 3) successfully establish processes for the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life devices and apply them at the industrial scale.
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Website for additional job details: https://careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/PhD-position-Operando-X-ray-spectroscopy-on-electrocatalytic-interfaces-%281_0-FTE%29/16767-en_US
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Universiteit Leiden - Institute of Chemistry
Country: Netherlands
State/Province: Zuid-Holland
City: Leiden
Postal Code: 2333 CC
Street: Einsteinweg 55
Contact
State/Province: Zuid-Holland
City: Leiden
Website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/chemistry
Street: Einsteinweg 55
Postal Code: 2333 CC
E-Mail: r.v.mom@lic.leidenuniv.nl
Phone: +31715274221
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