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 August 2024 or later.

Title:
Experimental Surface Science Studies of Electrocatalysts

Research area and project description:
As a PhD student, you will work in the Interfaces and Catalysis group at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) of Aarhus University (headed by Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen). You will become part of a research group of 12-15 people working with a variety of experimental surface science techniques, that enable us to establish links between the atomic structure of surfaces and their activity as catalysts. The main techniques include scanning probe microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy, which can be performed in our own lab or at synchrotrons. At the forefront of research in the field, we also use these techniques as operando techniques, where the catalyst surface reactions are observed “live” in the active state.

The goal of the project is to use operando surface science techniques to investigate how certain metal oxide nanostructures can promote the electrochemical splitting of water (part of the process for green hydrogen production). We have developed a new electrochemical cell that allows us to directly link atom-resolved information obtained by surface characterization in vacuum to the activity of the catalyst in an electrochemical environment. The work involves an industrial collaborator.  Apart from the planned work in our own surface science laboratory located at iNANO, you will also be trained in the application of synchrotron-based spectroscopy at our local ASTRID2 synchrotron and international sites, such as MAX-IV, Sweden.

Examples of recent work from our group include:

1. J. J. Gammelgaard et al., A Monolayer Carbon Nitride on Au(111) with a High Density of Single Co Sites. ACS Nano 17, 17489-17498 (2023).
2. Z. Sun et al., The Effect of Fe Dopant Location in Co(Fe)OOHx Nanoparticles for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS Nano 15, 18226-18236 (2021).
3. E. Rattigan et al., The cobalt oxidation state in preferential CO oxidation on CoOx/Pt(111) investigated by operando X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 24, 9236-9246 (2022).

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 physics, chemistry, or nanoscience with an excellent and documented exam record. Candidates with documented knowledge in surface science studies or thesis work using ultra-high vacuum equipment may have an advantage.
 

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University, Denmark. 

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Jeppe Lauritsen, jvang@inano.au.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 March 2024)

1. Choose May 2024 Call with deadline 1 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST.
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: “Experimental Surface Science Studies of Electrocatalysts (ESSStE)”

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• The project will only be initiated if the graduate school/the faculty grants funding.

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.