Assistant Professor in Computational Nanoelectrochemistry

Do you have expertise in both electrochemistry and computational chemistry Within the Computational Chemistry theme of Van t Hoff institute for Molecular Science (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam there is a vacancy for an Assistant Professor in the field of computational nanoelectrochemistry. This position will be part of the Advanced Netherlands Institute of Nanoelectrochemistry (ANION).

Contribute to fundamental electrochemistry in nanoconfinement!

The recently established Advanced Netherlands Institute of Nanoelectrochemistry (ANION) aims to make fundamental and ground-breaking contributions to a deeper understanding of charge-transfer reactions and electrocatalytic reactions at nanoscale electrochemical interfaces with an emphasis on how the structure and dynamics of all components of the interface interact in their restricted nanoscale environment. To that end ANION brings together experts from chemistry physics and materials science including advanced experimental and theoretical/computational methods.

The research within ANION focuses on nanoscale electrochemical phenomena at different length and time scales in an integrated fashion: from the structure and dynamics of the electrode-electrolyte interface in nanoconfinement to charge transfer and electrocatalysis at the electrode- electrolyte interface in nanoconfinement which adds reactivity and introduces many non- equilibrium phenomena including surface restructuring correlations and fluctuations and bubble formation. While ANION strives for fundamental understanding by employing carefully designed model systems the focus is on a limited number of electrochemical conversion processes namely Li reduction plating and intercalation hydrogen evolution/hydrogen oxidation reactions oxygen evolution and CO2 reduction which are all central to practical energy storage applications.

Reliable computational modeling of electrochemical conversion in nanoconfinement under experimental working conditions poses a formidable challenge. There is a great need for more accurate and scalable models for electrochemical systems in particular for systems that involve electrochemical rearrangements at the interface of a charged electrode material and a dynamic electrolyte addition special multiscale techniques and enhanced sampling methods may be required to model large-scale systems and activated processes. The open position focuses on such challenges.

This is what you will do

The research field of the assistant professor could be in one of the following topics (not an exhaustive list) which includes both novel methodology and novel applications:

1. DFT-molecular dynamics simulations for electrochemical systems metal surfaces double layers and electrolytes
2. adaptive hybrid quantum/classical multiscale simulations
3. treatment of electrocatalytic reaction networks in complex environments
4. development of advanced ensembles for electrochemical simulations such as grand-canonical molecular dynamics for constant electronic chemical potential modeling and constant-potential molecular dynamics simulations
5. beyond-DFT methodology to handle larger system sizes and longer time scales (e.g. via machine learning potentials) non-adiabatic electron transfer and nuclear quantum dynamics of proton transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer (e.g. via path integral molecular dynamics)
6. the use of AI and machine learning in general for dealing with the complexity of nanoeletrochemical processes

Next to performing such state-of-art research the assistant professor will contribute to the educational chemistry curriculum as well as perform organizational tasks.

This is what we ask of you

The assistant professor position will be embedded in the Computational Chemistry Group at the University of Amsterdam and will complement the considerable expertise available there. The new assistant professor will have a profile in theoretical or computational chemistry or physics. The candidate should have completed a PhD in chemistry or physics or a related discipline and have an outstanding track record in the field of computational chemistry with e.g. a background in electronic structure calculation DFT based molecular simulations multiscale modelling machine learned potentials or other AI/ML techniques for complex molecular systems. The candidate should push the boundary on computational tools for nanoelectrochemistry.

As faculty member at HIMS we expect you to:

• be(come) a renowned scientist as evidenced by high impact publications and invited lectures;
• be successful in acquisition of (personal) research grants;
• participate in the chemistry related education programs;
• increase the visibility and impact of your research by initiating and joining in (inter)national public-private as well as academic research programs;
• promote the societal relevance of your research and contribute to outreach activities;
• contribute to the organisation of the institute for example by participating in working groups and committees in the domains of teaching research and management;
• become a role model in your field.

You will be selected on your scientific track record and on your vision for future research as well as on your teaching achievements qualifications and vision for future teaching.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• a PhD in Chemistry or related discipline;
• a track record of publications in renowned journals and contributed and/or invited talks at international conferences/workshops in line with your career stage;
• a track record in teaching and (co)supervision of BSc MSc and/or PhD students appropriate to your career stage;
• cross-cultural sensitivity;
• demonstrable organisational talent;

and you are a team player with good communication skills in English willing to obtain a Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) within three years and able to speak Dutch or are motivated to learn to speak it within five years.

This is what we offer you

We focus on early career candidates who can start at the level of Assistant Professor 2. We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months. A permanent contract follows after a positive assesment of your performance. The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 4728 - 6433 (scale 11). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 83% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management handling stress and an online learning platform with 100 different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits take a look here.

This is where you will work

While the embedding is in the van t Hoff Institute for Molecular Science (HIMS) the position also is part of ANION and the assistant preofessor is expected to collaborate closely with researchers elsewhere in the ANION institute. Strong connections are foreseen with other (experimental) researchers within HIMS (and possibly at the Institute of Physics (IoP) and/or Informatics (IvI) and especially those connected to the Amsterdam center for electrochemistry AMCEL.

TheVan t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical flavor & food medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes:Analytical ChemistryComputational ChemistrySynthesis & CatalysisandMolecular Photonics.

The core objective of HIMS is to understand and predict the behaviour of molecules in increasingly complex processes and systems. We work on circular and sustainable (catalytic) chemical processes molecular art conservation renewable energy forensic applications and functional materials. To reach these goals research at HIMS houses four strong sub-disciplines. Analytical Chemistry Computational Chemistry Molecular Photonics and Synthesis & Catalysis that operate all at the forefront of their respective field and together provide a unique synergy for designing creating characterizing and understanding molecular systems to address the aforementioned societal and industrial challenges. The HIMS portfolio reflects a healthy balance between publicly funded curiosity-driven research and application-oriented research with private (co-) funding.

TheUniversity of Amsterdam is the Netherlands largest university offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA 30000 students 6000 staff members and 3000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields connected by a culture of curiosity.

TheFaculty of Science has a student body of around 8000 as well as 1800 members of staff working in education research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works be it elementary particles the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can respond via the red button up to and including August 27 2025.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted inone single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link will be considered.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:

• Prof. dr. Peter Bolhuis

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

If you receive an error message while applying from abroad please try again later or contact us for assistance.