Postdoc position in CO2 electrocatalysis to solid products
Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
Empa’s Laboratory Materials for Energy Conversion focuses on materials and device innovation for sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies.
Your tasks
The research project focuses on understanding the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into sustainable solid products. Your task will include:
  • Developing gas diffusion electrodes that are selective for the reduction of CO2 into solid products.
  • Understanding parameters controlling the gas diffusion electrode's selectivity towards solid products combining electrochemical methods, gas and liquid product analysis and spectroscopic techniques.
  • Investigating mass transport and stability of gas diffusion electrodes in the presence of solid products and developing novel analytical operando methods to characterize the formation of solid products.
Your profile
We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in chemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering or a related discipline. As this project is a cutting-edge research activity, well beyond the current state-of-the-art in electrocatalysis, we are looking for someone creative, curious, highly motivated and with excellent problem-solving skills. Prior experience in electrochemistry, catalysis, and/or Python is an advantage.

The successful candidate will be expected to work independently in the lab while collaborating and communicating effectively with our multidisciplinary team. Empa is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applications from female candidates. Join us in contributing to groundbreaking research in sustainable energy technologies!
Our offer
You will work in a vibrant international environment and in a brand new laboratory building equipped with state-of-the-art experimental facilities located at Empa’s campus in Dübendorf near downtown Zürich. The position is closely connected to two national research initiatives focusing on the synthesis of sustainable fuels and chemicals providing many opportunities to interact with a large and high-profile network that includes member of both academia and industry.
We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas with grades and at least two reference letters. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
David Heusser, HR Partner
Questions?
Dr. Alessandro Senocrate
Project leader
Materials for Energy Conversion
+41 58 765 4148
https://www.empa.ch/web/s501
Your future place of work
Empa
Ueberlandstrasse 129
8600 Dübendorf
Empa as an employer
  • Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities
  • Creating added value for society
  • International, multicultural working environment
  • Freedom to create and develop
  • Culture of inclusion and respect
  • Excellent balance between different areas of life
  • Multiple award-winning and certified employer
  • Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.