Postdoctoral researcher in Sustainable Sodium Borate Electrolyte Chemistry

Are you driven by the challenge of scaling up innovative inorganic chemistry into real-world battery applications Do you enjoy hands-on laboratory work on-scale reactor optimisation and developing sustainable chemical processes with industrial relevance Are you curious about modern digitalized chemical research Then this role will be an exciting and educating next step in your career!

Join our team!

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher who will play a central role in the BOR-LYTE Proof-of-Concept project dedicated to developing and scaling up a new fully sustainable process for producing sodium borate battery electrolytes. You will work in the Slootweg Group at the Van t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) in close collaboration with our academic and industrial partners. This position is a unique opportunity to bridge synthetic main-group chemistry process optimisation and early-stage industrialisation.

What you are going to do

• Develop optimise and scale the one-step conversion of borax into battery-grade sodium borate electrolytes to >1 kg scale.
• Expand the BOR-LYTE electrolyte portfolio to additional sodium borates using synthetic mechanistic process-oriented and digitalized approaches.
• Perform purification crystallisation drying and quality-control workflows to achieve battery-grade purity (<15 ppm H₂O >99.9% purity).
• Operate and optimise 2 L and 5 L reactor systems (stirring dosing heating solvent recycling) to reach TRL4 performance.
• Work closely with external partners by supplying and evaluating electrolytes in full cell testing environments.

What we ask of you

• When the work intensifies during scale-up phases you keep oversight of priorities and maintain a structured workflow.
• You collaborate smoothly with colleagues students and industrial partners and you communicate your results clearly as well as document your results in proper digital manner.
• You enjoy solving complex experimental challenges and take initiative in improving reaction procedures and analytical methods.
• A PhD (working and thinking level) in Physical Organic and main-group chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: Schlenk-line or glovebox techniques inorganic/organometallic synthesis electrochemistry mechanochemistry flow chemistry scale-up crystallisation and advanced analytical methods (NMR IR MS PXRD).
• (Additional experience with reaction engineering reactor optimisation python for data analysis is considered beneficial but not required.)

What we offer you

You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic curiosity-driven environment with strong links to industry and innovation. The BOR-LYTE project is fast-moving and highly visible providing an excellent platform to develop both scientific and translational skills. We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of up to 8 months. The preferred starting date is ultimately 1st of February 2026.

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 Universitiesis 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;

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

Where you will work

You will join the Slootweg Group within the Synthesis & Catalysis / Sustainable Chemistry research theme at the Van t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS). Our team focuses on sustainable main-group chemistry circular chemistry and the development of scalable waste-free processes for energy-relevant molecules and materials.

The culture in our group is collaborative ambitious and driven by scientific curiosity. You will work alongside PhD candidates postdocs and MSc students in close interaction with industrial and international partners. The BOR-LYTE project is pioneering the sustainable production of sodium borate electrolytes moving rapidly from lab-scale discovery to early commercialization an exciting environment for applied fundamental research.

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 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.

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 below until the end of January 2026 the latest.
Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
• Your CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience including a list of publications
• 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). If you receive an error message while applying from abroad please try again later or contact us for assistance.

For questions about the position please contact:

• prof. dr. J.C. Slootweg
• Full Professor in Circular Chemistry