Empa

PhD position in High-Entropy Oxides for Heterogeneous Catalysis

Dübendorf, Schweiz

Unspecified

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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 Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics is offering a PhD position focused on the development of new catalytic materials for CO2 conversion. This project will center on high-entropy oxides, a promising class of catalysts, to help transform CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons. The work is part of a broader initiative aimed at advancing materials for integrated carbon capture and conversion technologies.

PhD position in High-Entropy Oxides for Heterogeneous Catalysis

Your tasks

Synthesize and characterize materials for heterogeneous catalysis applications
Develop synthesis-structure-properties relationships to optimize material performance for CO2 valorization
Work with project partners to design and implement AI-assisted high-throughput synthesis and testing protocols
Contribute to the publication of research results and present findings at national and international scientific conferences

Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and proactive candidate with a strong academic background in materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a passion for sustainability and an interest in using innovative materials to address environmental challenges.

Required qualifications include:

A Masters degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field
Experience in catalyst synthesis and characterization, or a strong willingness to learn
A solid foundation in experimental research, data analysis, and scientific methods
Interest in machine learning and data-driven approaches to materials discovery
Strong interest in hands-on work and problem-solving
Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal

Our offer
We offer a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to work on a high-impact project at the intersection of materials science and environmental technology. The position is fully funded through an SNF Ambizione grant. The work will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Amy Knorpp at Empa, and the student will be enrolled at ETH Zurich under the supervision of Prof. van Bokhoven. The position is available starting July 1st or later, with a duration of 3-4 years.

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.