PhD position in dynamic stress catalysis

By making catalysts ‘move’, their activity can increase up to 30×. A new piezoelectric method enables high-frequency strain, but the mechanism remains unknown. As a PhD, you’ll uncover how dynamic stress drives CO₂ conversion into valuable chemicals with minimal energy and waste. Ready to explore this new frontier at the crossroads of catalysis and structural dynamics?

Your job

Better catalysts are needed for a more sustainable chemical industry, but steady-state catalysis faces fundamental limitations. Deforming (straining) a catalyst back and forth in a dynamic fashion can theoretically boost catalytic performance, yet methods to induce >0.1% strain at relatively high frequency (100–1000 Hz) are lacking. Our group recently demonstrated a new method to dynamically stress catalyst bodies at high strain levels and up to 1000 Hz using piezoelectric actuators. We also showed a proof-of-concept of 30× enhanced catalytic performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction. However, the mechanism behind this effect remains unclear, and the influence of dynamic stress on selectivity and stability is unknown.

As a PhD in this project, you will investigate how dynamic stress influences the performance of catalyst bodies in CO₂ activation reactions using operando characterisation method. You will work in a team together with a postdoctoral fellow, who will focus on the effect of vibrations on thermal catalysis and on developing X-ray operando characterisation methods. Your work will contribute to a new research line at the interface of catalysis and structural dynamics. This project has potential for wide-reaching implications for sustainable chemistry. In particular for the production of chemicals like methanol or ethylene with minimal waste and energy input.

Your qualities

You are an enthusiastic and proactive researcher who enjoys collaborating with and building new connections. You are independent in your work and committed to the team you work in. In addition, you have:

• a MSc in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field;
• experience in areas such as surface chemistry and analytical characterisation, CO₂ electroreduction (considered an advantage) and in Raman or vibrational spectroscopy (considered an advantage).

Our offer

• The opportunity to work in and with a team of leading experts;
• a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment during the first 18 months;
• a full-time working week and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis (ICC) research group is part of the Department of Chemistry and the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry. We focus on characterisation, performance, and synthesis of inorganic functional materials with special emphasis on well-defined heterogeneous catalysts for energy storage and sustainable physicochemical conversion processes in the fields of thermal catalysis, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. Our specialisation is the development of operando and in-situ (time-resolved) spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to develop structure-performance relationships and understand, for example, the function and deactivation of solid catalysts. The group consists of two full professors, one associate professor, five assistant professors, ten technicians and about 60 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.

More information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Matteo Monai at m.monai@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl. 

The selection of candidates will be exclusively based on qualification without regard to gender, religion, or national origin.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please use the ‘apply now’ button and enclose:

• your letter of motivation;
• your curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two referees.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone who may be interested, please forward this link to them.

Some connections are fundamental – Be one of them

The application deadline is 15 December 2025.