Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Nanoscience programme. The position is available from May 2026 or later.
Title:
Converting CO2 on atomically defined electrocatalysts
Research area and project description:
As a PhD student, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to become part of the Interfaces and Catalysis group at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), led by Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen. We’re a team of researchers, applying experimental surface science and electrochemical characterization methods to address the fundamental chemical activity of surfaces.
Advanced Techniques: Our toolkit includes cutting-edge experimental methods like scanning probe microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) carried out at leading synchrotrons, or in our own lab using a new near-ambient pressure XPS instrument. Moreover, the project will be a collaboration with the VISION group at DTU, performing advanced in-situ electron microscopy.
Catalysis Insights: We use these experimental tools to observe catalyst surface reactions “live” while they’re active. Our in-situ techniques based provide real-time insight into the detailed structure and chemical composition of a surface and how it determines electrocatalytic catalytic properties for e.g. CO2 conversion
The particular PhD project will work new electrocatalysts that make use of single-atom and dual-atom motifs in compounds surface for controlling selectivity in electrochemical CO2 reduction. By application of atom resolved imaging and spectroscopy, you will be able to study how chemical and structural features control new catalytic or electrocatalytic properties.
The position is based at Aarhus University and takes place with support from the ‘Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery’ (CAPeX) (https://capex.dtu.dk/)
A few examples of recent work:
“Operando Characterization of Porous Nickel Foam Water Splitting Electrodes Using Near-Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy” J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2025, 16, 14, 3597–3605
“Role of Cu Oxide and Cu Adatoms in the Reactivity of CO2 on Cu(110)” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202405554
“A Monolayer Carbon Nitride on Au(111) with a High Density of Single Co Sites” ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17489–17498
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants should have a recent master’s degree (3-year PhD programme) or 4-years of studies (4-year PhD programme) in chemistry, nanoscience, physics or equivalent disciplines, and with an excellent and documented exam record. Good knowledge of or experimental project work in either surface science, electrocatalysis or synchrotron spectroscopy studies will be considered a plus.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C., Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact:
Professor, Jeppe V. Lauritsen, jvang@inano.au.dk or Professor, Stig Helveg, stihe@dtu.dk.
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 December 2025)
1. Choose February 2026 Call with deadline 1 February 2026 at 23:59 CET.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Nanoscience”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Converting CO2 on atomically defined electrocatalysts (CCOade)”
Please note:
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• As of 1 August 2026, iNANO’s educational and research activities will be transferred to the faculty’s departments. Consequently, employments at iNANO will as of that date be with a department.
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
