Postdoc in Single Particle Catalysis

Information about the research project
Nanoparticles are the most important industrial catalysts and heterogeneity is a general feature among them. This heterogeneity is hampering the generation of deeper understanding of how catalyst particle size, shape and composition affect its activity and selectivity, as these parameters directly control the catalytic performance by determining which surface sites that are exposed to the reactants. Assessing the state, activity and selectivity of individual nanoparticles with high resolution in operando is therefore vital to the development of efficient catalysts. Moreover, operating experimentally at the level of a single nanoparticle facilitates a unique and direct link between experiment and electronic structure-based theory.

The first focus of this project is the operation and further tuning of a unique new experimental setup that we have built, which unites plasmonic nanospectrocopy with mass spectrometry from nanofluidic reactors, to enable beyond-state-of-the-art operando characterization of catalytic processes on individual nanoparticles with well-defined and characterized size, shape and chemical composition.

The second focus of this project is the application of a recently patented optical spectroscopy method to investigate structure-function correlations of nobel metal catalyst nanoparticles.

Information about the research group
The Langhammer group at the Chemical Physics Divison at the Department of Physics operates at the interface between nanomaterials science, nanofluidics, catalysis, nanoplasmonics and in situ spectroscopy, with a particular focus on sustainable energy-related materials, (photo)catalysts, nanosensors and nanoparticles. For that purpose we continuously develop and evolve our own methodologies for state-of-the-art nanofabrication, as well as build our own customized research instrumentation.

For more info, please visit our group home page: www.langhammerlab.se

And the home page of the Chemical Physics Division that hosts the Langhammer Group:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/physics/research/chemicalphysics/Pages/default.aspx

Major responsibilities
You will:
• design experiments and nanoreactors
• nanofabricate the designed nanoreactors
• implement the use of optical nanospectroscopy for the ananlysis of single particle catalyst activity
• execute experiments to derive single particle structure - function correlations during catalytic reactions
• develop and implement software solutions for the efficient real time collection and post-experiment analysis of large data sets obtained during your experiments
• evaluate and summarize your data and share them with our cross-diciplinary research team

Position summary
Temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1) full-time research.

Qualifications
• PhD in Physics with focus on chemical physics or nanomaterials physics. The Phd degree must not be older than 2 years.
• Been involved in the design and building of research instrumentation including mass spectrometry for the the purpose of studying catalytic processes during the PhD or an earlier Post Doc.
• Significant experience with advanced nanofabrication, including electron beam lithography.
• Experience with a model-system type of catalysis research, and/or nanoplasmonics and/or nanofluidics are considered a merit.
• Experience with electrodynamics simulations (e.g. FDTD) are considered a merit.
• Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the work, which involves collaborations with other researchers and research groups, you are expected to have excellent collaboration skills.

The position also requires excellent communication skills in written and spoken English. Applicants who do not have English or a Scandinavian language as their mother tongue need to provide documentation of good communication skills in English, typically evidenced by an English language test, for example TOEFL 550 (paper-based)/TOEFL 213 (computer-based), and exemplified during the interview process prior to admission.

Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

READ MORE AND APPLY HERE

Application deadline: 10 October, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Professor Christoph Langhammer, Chemical Physics
E-mail: clangham@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 73 652 8980

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***