Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioelectrochemical CO₂ Conversion and Electrocatalysis

Academic Positions; Finland; Hybrid; EUR 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Jyväskylä, Department of Chemistry, invites applications for an Industrial Postdoctoral Researcher in bioelectrochemical CO₂ conversion, electrocatalysis, and renewable methane production. The 24‑month fixed-term position starts Oct 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, with split duties between academia and an industrial partner near Jyväskylä.

The successful candidate will develop and validate durable electrocatalysts and methanogenic bioelectrochemical systems, from

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or closely related field.
• Experience in electrocatalysis and bioelectrochemical systems.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary academic–industry projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate electrochemical catalysts for CO₂-to-methane.
• Coordinate university–industry collaboration and project exchange.
• Publish results and contribute to exploitation and pilot roadmap.

Skills

Electrocatalysis

Bioelectrochemical systems

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Doctoral degree in Chemistry

Electrochemistry/Materials Science

Tools

NMR

Mass spectrometry

X-ray crystallography

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Jyväskylä Research Field Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Other Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering » Other Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026 - 20:59 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Jyväskylä, Department of Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated Industrial Postdoctoral Researcher for a 24-month fixed-term position in bioelectrochemical CO₂ conversion, electrocatalysis, and renewable methane production. The position is conducted in collaboration with an industrial partner near Jyväskylä.Expected starting date is October 2026 or as soon as possiblethereafter.

Research Tasks

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to the development, integration, and industrial validation of technology. The main responsibility is developing and integrating durable electrocatalysts and methanogenic bioelectrochemical systems for efficient CO₂-to-methane conversion and renewable methane production, from materials optimization to industrial validation.

Research Environment and Mobility

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be employed by the University of Jyväskylä throughout the project. The work will be divided between the University of Jyväskylä and Industry partner, with approximately 12 months at the university and 12 months at the company. The placement is planned in flexible blocks to support effective knowledge exchange and project implementation.

The academic periods will focus primarily on experimental development and controlled validation. The company periods will focus on industrial requirements, process integration, application scenarios, performance evaluation, and preparation of an exploitation and pilot roadmap.

Who should apply

The successful candidate must hold a doctoral degree in, Chemistry, Electrochemistry Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemical Engineering Or another closely related field.

The candidate should have experience in electrocatalysis, bioelectrochemical and anaerobic systems, catalyst and reactor development, electrochemical and materials characterization, methane production, and catalyst durability studies, with demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary academic-industry projects involving scale-up, techno-economic and life-cycle assessment, and industrial implementation.

The position requires:

• Ability to plan and perform research independently
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Good communication, collaboration, and scientific writing skills
• Willingness to work in both academic and industrial research environments.

Come to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community!

We offer you:

• An opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary research project combining electrochemistry, microbiology, circular economy, and renewable energy technologies
• Access to research facilities and expertise at the University of Jyväskylä
• Close collaboration with an industrial partner active in biogas, biomethane, and renewable energy solutions
• Experience in both academic and industrial research environments
• Opportunities to publish scientific results and participate in international conferences
• Professional development in project implementation, industrial collaboration, technology transfer, and research commercialization.

At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritizes the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work–life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene. For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide .

Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System.The salary for a Postdoctoral Researcher is determined based on the task-specific demand level 5–6 for teaching and research staff. The salary range will be approximately 3600-4800 €/month(gross income), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. If you are relocating from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskyläand Finland.

Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants to apply for this position.

Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry is internationally renowned for its high-quality research and teaching that crosses traditional subject boundaries and fosters a strong sense of community. Our teaching is being modernized through careful, collaborative efforts. The department’s key research areas include functional molecules and materials, chemical nanoscience, circular economy, and chemistry education. The department provides access to up-to-date chemistry infrastructure, including NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, ICP analytics, and laser laboratories. Additionally, the Nanoscience Center offers high-quality infrastructure for nanofabrication and characterization. With a broad range of advanced tools, equipment and infrastructure, wesupport high-level international research collaborations and diverse teaching opportunities. We also have research groups that develop and apply density functional theory and other theoretical methods to understand and support experimental research related to hydrogen production and storage. Central to our approach is close cooperation within the department, faculty and with external partners, as demonstrated by the shared use of research facilities. We value in-depth fundamental research and the development of innovative applications built upon it. With a community of around 130 people, we have a significant proportion of international staff, enriching our work with diverse expertise and perspectives.

The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centred environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.