Postdoc on electrochemical ammonia synthesis in ceramic reactors

University of Groningen; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Holiday allowance 8%

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) at University of Groningen invites applications for a PhD student to develop and evaluate (electro)catalysts for ammonia synthesis in ceramic electrochemical reactors. This project is part of the HyNITROGEN consortium funded by GroenvermogenNL.

You will synthesize and characterize electrocatalysts, fabricate cells, and contribute to publications while teaching 10% of your workload.

Qualifications

• Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
• We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher.
• A naturally curious person with a strong interest in research.

Responsibilities

• Synthesis and characterization of electrocatalysts at intermediate and high temperatures.
• Fabrication of single cells with targeted characteristics.
• Characterization of materials and relevant interfaces for their role in the reaction mechanisms.
• Preparation of scientific articles and conference communications.
• Teaching activities (10% of total workload), including assistance to courses, as well as supervision of Bachelor and Master students.
• Contribution to the scientific and collaborative research environment in Chemical Engineering group and the ENTEG institute.

Skills

Analytical skills

Initiative

Creativity

English communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Equivalent university degree

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Groningen Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 22:00 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 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

In the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), we are looking for a talented and motivated PhD student for the development and evaluation of (electro)catalysts for electrochemical ammonia synthesis from sustainable sources in ceramic electrochemical reactors. Ammonia is not only a key-chemical for sustaining global population, but also an intriguing carbon-free energy carrier.

What are you going to do?

Ammonia is not only a key-chemical for sustaining global population, but also an intriguing carbon-free energy carrier. Ammonia, however, is the most energy intensive commodity chemical, responsible for 1-2% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions worldwide. The PhD project will support the efforts for creating innovative electrochemical membrane reactors that produce sustainable ammonia at high efficiency for decentralized applications. The PhD research will be part of the 20.3 Meuros HyNITROGEN project ( https://groenvermogennl.org/rd/werkpakket-5/ ) of the National Growthfund GroenvermogenNL. This unique consortium brings together more than 40 companies, universities and research institutes, covering the entire value chain.

Responsibilities and tasks:

• Synthesis and characterization of electrocatalysts at intermediate and high temperatures.
• Fabrication of single cells with targeted characteristics.
• Characterization of materials and relevant interfaces for their role in the reaction mechanisms.
• Preparation of scientific articles and conference communications.
• Teaching activities (10% of total workload), including assistance to courses, as well as supervision of Bachelor and Master students.
• Contribution to the scientific and collaborative research environment in Chemical Engineering group and the ENTEG institute.
• A PhD (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher. Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.

Additional Information

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Selection process

Interested?

Information about applying

When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible. The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy .

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP application code

Additional comments

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Vassilis Kyriakou (Associate Professor): [e-mail]