Postdoctoral Position in Chemical Engineering

University of Antwerp

Regime: Full-time
Application Deadline: 13 November 2025
Start Date: As soon as possible

About the University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a leading European university offering innovative education to over 20,000 students, conducting pioneering research, and contributing to society. With more than 6,000 employees from 100 countries, the university fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking academic environment.

About the Research Group: Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT)

The ELCAT group in the Faculty of Applied Engineering focuses on electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering. Research activities include:

• Electro-organic synthesis
• CO₂ reduction and water splitting electrolysis
• Design and scale-up of electrochemical reactors
• Redox flow batteries and industrially relevant electrolyzers

Project Overview

Electro-organic synthesis using H₂O as a hydrogen source enables direct e-hydrogenation, avoiding the need for handling H₂ gas. This PhD project focuses on:

• Synthesis and characterization of electrode-immobilized metal-oxide nanoparticles
• Evaluation of e-hydrogenation performance for various organic substrates
• Investigating reaction mechanisms spectroscopically
• Optimizing catalyst materials, reaction conditions, and electrolyzer design
• Developing a versatile flow-electrolysis platform for energy storage, industrial alkyne semi-hydrogenation, and bio-feedstock upgrading

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or related fields (or equivalent experience)
• Strong academic record
• Fluent in English
• Ability to work safely in chemical laboratories
• Self-motivated, organized, and independent

Desirable:

• Experience in nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, heterogeneous catalysis
• Knowledge of mass transfer, reactor engineering, fluid dynamics
• Skills in Python/R programming, spectroscopy (UV/Vis, Raman, NMR), HPLC/GC, CAD, 3D printing
• Strong planning and teamwork abilities

Recommendation letters are a plus.

What We Offer

• Doctoral scholarship initially for 1 year, renewable up to 4 years
• Work at Campus Drie Eiken in a stimulating research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art lab facilities
• Benefits including ecocheques, internet allowance, and commuting support
• Opportunities to publish, patent, and present research internationally

Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Application Process

Apply through the University of Antwerp online application platform by 13 November 2025. Include:

• Motivation letter
• Academic CV with degrees, dates, and grades
• Short summary of your Master’s thesis and relevant research projects

Contact for queries:

• Prof. Dominik Halter: dominik.halter@uantwerpen.be
• Email for application technical support: jobs@uantwerpen.be

Diversity & Inclusion

The University of Antwerp values diversity and an inclusive environment. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds.

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