Project Details
Renewable energy is key to tackling climate change and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The intermittent supply of renewable energy hampers its efficient usage and creates a pressing need for innovative energy conversion approaches.
Energy-to-fuel conversion using plasma-assisted catalytic conversion is highly promising for producing urgently needed fuels from greenhouse gases. In plasma catalysis, reactants are activated in a plasma discharge, allowing for remarkable efficiencies beyond the limits of thermal catalysis.
The catalyst surface defines the reaction pathway and selectivity, and is thus key in catalyst design. However, at present the active state of catalyst surfaces in plasma is unknown, limiting the impact of plasma catalysis by inhibiting the design of dedicated plasma catalysts.
In the SURPLAS project, we will determine the surface reaction mechanisms of catalysts in plasma and demonstrate the rational design of plasma catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation.
As a PhD student, you will compare the interaction of catalytically active metals favoring different products and determine the details of reaction pathways at the surface. You will learn to prepare atomically clean surfaces in ultra-high vacuum and perform spectroscopy experiments to determine their active state live during exposure to plasma.
Using photoelectron spectroscopy, you will analyze the surface composition and oxidation state of the active surface, allowing conclusions on the reaction mechanism. Infrared absorption spectroscopy will enable you to identify the key reaction intermediates of plasma-catalytic reactions.
Eligibility
You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination.
You have a university degree in (applied) physics or physical chemistry. Good verbal and written communication skills (in English) are required. Prior experience with surface science, ultra-high vacuum, and spectroscopy techniques is considered an advantage for the project.
Funding
The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years, with a starting salary of gross € 2,720 per month and a range of employment benefits.
Application Requirement
Please annex your:
- Resume;
- Motivation on why you want to join the group (max. 1 page).
It is important to us to know why you want to join our team. This means that we will only consider your application if it entails your motivation letter. on.
Application Deadline
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and as soon as an excellent match is made, the position will be filled.
