techniques will link intermediates/by- products to the observed activity, stability, and chemical changes. Changes during degradation of metal and metal- oxide electrocatalysts (cooperation with Doctoral Candidates (DC) 12, 14) will be monitored over extended periods, correlating them with the structural and chemical changes. Correlative operando studies using SXRD/SAXS are planned together with DC10.
Expeceted results
- Development of in-situ/operando experimental setup for SXRD and spectroscopic techniques.
- Understanding of surface stability/degradation of different electrodes through structural and spectroscopic operando studies.
- Understanding the role of intermediates and surface functionalisation by combined RS/in-situ SXRD.
Where to apply
Website: https://tinyurl.com/dpffnnmu
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Good level in oral and written English is mandatory.
- Good knowledge of electrochemistry, materials science.
- Skills in experimental electrochemistry and electrochemical technologies.
- Experience with material characterization using x-ray diffraction and/or spectroscopy techniques and corresponding data interpretation will be an advantage.
- Ability to work as a member of an international, multi-disciplinary team.
- Some programming skills would be helpful but not necessary.
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemistry or closely related disciplines.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
You will be employed by the University of Liverpool. You will be associated with the Condensed Matter Physics group of the Department of Physics and the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy. You will be based in the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy on the main campus of the University of Liverpool (Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy).
The selected candidate will be required to enroll in a PhD program at the University of Liverpool.
Supervisors
Main supervisor: Dr. Yvonne Grunder (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/yvonne-grunder)
Co-supervisors from secondments:
Dr. Rik Mom (University of Leiden, https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/rik-mom#tab-1)
Dr. Iakovos Yakoumis,Dr. A. Moschovi (MONOLITHOS Catalysts and Recycling Ltd., https://monolithos-catalysts.gr/en/)
The Doctoral Candidate will stay 4 months at MONOLITHOS Catalysts and Recycling Ltd. (Dr. Iakovos Yakoumis) and 4 months at the University of Leiden, Netherlands (Dr. Rik Mom).
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 36 months under the MSCA Doctoral Network. The total contract duration is 36 months.
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.
Working hours: full time
Local language: English
The University of Liverpool is committed to providing an environment which recognises, values, respects and celebrates people's differences and strengths. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of all we do. Working together, as a community, we will create an even more inclusive culture, which aims to maximise the potential of our staff and students.
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 UK 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
- Contact details of 3 referees
Deadline: 20.09.2026
Apply via: https://tinyurl.com/dpffnnmu
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://tinyurl.com/dpffnnmu
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Liverpool - Department of Physics
Country: United Kingdom
State/Province: Lancashire
City: Liverpool
Postal Code: L69 7ZE
Street: Oxford Street
Contact
State/Province: Lancashire
City: Liverpool
Website: https://tinyurl.com/dpffnnmu
Street: Oxford Street
Postal Code: L69 7ZE
E-Mail: yvonne.grunder@liverpool.ac.uk
Phone: +441517952156
