Postdoc in operando electrocatalysis of nanomaterials at the Department of Chemistry

Postdoc in operando electrocatalysis of nanomaterials at the Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 3-year position focused on operando synchrotron-based characterization of nanoparticle electrocatalysts. You will apply advanced X-ray scattering and spectroscopic techniques to uncover structure–activity relationships of compositionally complex nanostructured electrocatalysts under realistic electrochemical conditions.

Information on the department can be found at: www.kiku.dk

Our research
The Center for High Entropy Alloy Catalysis (CHEAC) is a large, interdisciplinary, collaborative research center that combines catalyst materials development in both experiments and simulations. The nanoparticles in electrocatalysis group is a research group in CHEAC led by Rebecca Pittkowski. We are a young, motivated group with experience in nanomaterials, electrocatalysis, and advanced operando synchrotron characterization. The group is a part of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

Your job
You will design and carry out operando synchrotron experiments to investigate the structure and dynamics of compositionally complex nanoparticles during electrocatalysis. Your tasks will include materials synthesis and testing, developing and managing synchrotron experiments, and analyzing X-ray scattering and spectroscopic data. The work will involve close collaboration with beamline scientists at European synchrotron facilities and our international research partners.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Chemistry, Nanoscience, or similar
• You are highly experienced in the structural characterization of nanomaterials
• You have experience in electrochemistry and operando synchrotron techniques
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in the synthesis of complex nanomaterials
• Experience in X-ray diffraction, X-ray total scattering, or X-ray absorption data collection and analysis
• Experience in publishing peer-reviewed articles as a first author

Place of employment
The place of employment is at CHEAC, the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and equipment for electrocatalytic testing as well as materials characterization. Facilities at CHEAC and UCPH include X-ray scattering (XRD, SAXS, total scattering) and spectroscopic techniques, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), and computational methods.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The starting date is 1. March 2026.

Salary, pension, and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,000 DKK/approx. 5,000 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information, please contact Tenure Track Assistant Professor Rebecca Pittkowski; e-mail Rebecca.pittkowski@chem.ku.dk; https://chem.ku.dk/research_sections/nanochem/pittkowski-group/

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. Full list of publications.

Deadline for applications: 14 December 2025, 23.59 pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 3-4 in 2026