Postdoctoral position in Catalysis Engineering Group-Sustainable Hydrogen Production

The Catalysis Engineering Group led by Dr. Shiju Raveendran is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to advance sustainable photocatalysis. This project develops porous three-dimensional phosphorus with antenna-like arms to harvest the full solar spectrum (UVVisIR) enabling efficient solar-driven hydrogen production while simultaneously detoxifying industrial wastewater.

Join us!

We invite candidates motivated to tackle global energy and environmental challenges through innovative catalysis research in a collaborative setting.

What you will do

• Synthesize and engineer novel materials for enhanced solar light harvesting.
• Evaluate photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production and wastewater remediation.
• Characterize materials using different techniques and link properties to performance.
• Optimize reaction conditions and explore scale-up potential.
• Analyze pollutant degradation and hydrogen generation mechanisms.
• Document experiments publish results and present findings at conferences.
• Collaborate with the Catalysis Engineering Group and interdisciplinary teams to advance project goals.

What we ask of you

• PhD in Chemistry Chemical Engineering Materials Science or related fields.
• Strong background in heterogeneous catalysis photocatalysis or nanomaterials synthesis.
• Experience with material characterization techniques (e.g. TEM SEM XRD).
• Familiarity with photocatalytic hydrogen generation and/or wastewater treatment studies is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to design and conduct experiments independently and analyze complex data.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills; track record of publications is a plus.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary research teams.
• Takes initiative manages time effectively and meets deadlines.
• Creative and critical problem-solving approach to research challenges.
• Passion for sustainability scientific research and contributing to society through innovative technologies.

What we offer you

We offer a temporary employment contract for 266 hours per week for a period of 9 months. An extension maybe possible based on available funding combined with adequate performance. The preferred starting date is ultimately November 1 2025.

The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 3546 - 5538 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 83% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. 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;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;

Where you will work

The Van 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 Faculty 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.

The candidate will work in the Catalysis Engineering group in HIMS. The Catalysis Engineering Group aims to develop sustainable chemical processes/products. We combine knowledge from the fields of Materials Science and Chemical Science with expertise in the field of Reactor Engineering to achieve this target. We currently work on a number of societally relevant and industrially important topics such as chemical recycling of waste CO2 conversion sustainable fuels renewable H2 etc.

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 October 15 2025.

Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
• Your CV including a list of publications. Please mention the months not just yearswhen referring to your education and work experience
• Contact details of at least one academic reference

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue recruiting until the position is the event of equal suitability preference will be given to the internal candidate.

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

For questions about the position please contact:

• Shiju Raveendran Associate Professor Group leader-Catalysis Engineering Group