• 60% electrocatalyst fabrication and testing
• 20% data analysis and dissemination
• 10% preparation of project reports for and meeting with sponsors and other team members
• 10% collaborative work, mentoring, and professional development

The Stoerzinger group (stoerzinger.cems.umn.edu) in the University of Minnesota's Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science investigates electrocatalysis for important applications in sustainable and resilient chemical production and energy transformations. This project involves a collaboration with Prof. Matt Neurock (DFT) and Prof. Suo Yang (CFD) to tackle the challenging problem of N2 oxidation to nitric acid, where selective electrocatalysis and mass transport are inherently coupled, requiring simultaneous advancement of catalysts and reactor design. The candidate will assess the ability of catalysts to promote N2 activation and the role of the local electrochemical environment in facilitating this process over competing water oxidation.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. in relevant engineering disciplines (chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or similar)
• Proven track-record of independent research, critical thinking, and successful academic publications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Education, training, or prior experience with electrocatalyst testing
• Education, training, or prior experience with gas diffusion electrode fabrication
• Education, training, or prior experience with rotating disk electrode testing

Preferred qualifications

• Education, training or prior experience with rotating ring disk electrode experiments
• Education, training or prior experience with electrochemical mass spectrometry
• Education, training or prior experience with catalyst synthesis and characterization
• Education, training or prior experience with ion chromatography and/or electron paramagnetic resonance