Two PostDoc positions: Development and testing of advanced sorbents and processes for Direct Air Capture

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The positions will be in the research group Reactors and Processes for Power-to-X, which is part of the Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems laboratory at Empa. The group focuses on developing novel reactor and process concepts along the value chain of carbon capture and utilization, and on integrating them into a net-zero energy system. The work will contribute to the NCCR Separations.

Your tasks

Development of an advanced testing infrastructure for sorbents and processes in DAC:

• Planning, design and implementation of novel infrastructure
• Characterization of DAC sorbents under process conditions and optimization of processes
• Integration of the infrastructure in a multi-institutional center for separation technologies

Development of novel monoliths and processes for energy efficient separation:

• Development of novel structuring approaches
• Manufacturing and characterization of monoliths
• Geometry and process optimization

Both positions will be responsible for the project collaboration and administration within their field, scientific publications, as well as collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

Your profile

• PhD in relevant field: Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry
• Full proficiency in written and spoken English

Demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas:

• Material synthesis and upscaling
• Characterization of sorbents
• Modeling of sorbents and adsorption processes
• Development of experimental methods or analytical techniques

Our offer

The positions will contribute to the NCCR Separations starting in May 2026 with a total duration of four years, split into two fixed-term employments of two years. You will work in a multi-disciplinary environment with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment at Empa in strong collaboration with groups at ETH Zurich, EPFL and other Swiss and international institutes.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.