Postdoc position - material synthesis and electrocatalysis in Zürich

100%, Zurich, temporary

The Mougel group is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. The research project will focus on the preparation and characterisation of materials for nitrogen electroreduction.

Research in the Mougel group revolves around the design of new catalysts for the photo- and electrochemical transformation of small molecules (CO₂, H₂O, N₂). These molecules are at the heart of some of the most important issues humankind will have to deal with, such as global warming, food shortage, etc. However, a current scientific bottleneck is the development of cheap, effective and earth abundant catalysts to promote the transformation of these small, essential molecules.

In the group, we take inspiration from nature systems, enzymes, that are very efficient to promote these reactions, to develop new heterogeneous and homogeneous bio-inspired catalysts.

Our approach lies at the interface between molecular and surface chemistry, investigating the preparation of molecular catalysts as well as their grafting onto conducting or semi-conducting interfaces. We investigate in particular the synthesis and characterization of new molecular bio-inspired catalysts based on iron-sulfur clusters and the development of metal oxide/sulfide electrodes for CO₂/N₂ reduction and H₂O oxidation. A specific focus is given to the operando Raman and FTIR characterization of the catalytic species aiming at understanding the active site at a molecular level.

The Mougel group offers a 2 year postdoctoral researcher position, starting November 2019 (a certain flexibility exists for the start date upon request of the candidate).

The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the preparation and characterisation of electrode materials, and their test in electrocatalytic conditions. A special focus will be given to the investigation of reaction mechanism via operando spectroscopy.

Experience in electrochemistry and electrocatalysis as well as in material synthesis are strictly required for application. In addition, the candidate is expected to demonstrate good presentation and manuscript writing skills. This project and the group being highly interdisciplinary, candidates with a strong teamwork spirit will be positively considered. Experience in GC, MS and Raman spectroscopy are considered as a plus.

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