PhD Position in Electric Field Sensing and Catalysis

What we are looking for:

We are seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD student position in experimental physical chemistry to work in the group of the ERC Assistant Professor Bogdan Dereka. Our ERC project Electric Field eFfects In Chemistry And CatalYsis (EFFICACY) aims to systematically study microscopic electric fields and elucidate their role in catalysis. Nature has perfected using tailored electric fields to perform all kinds of difficult reactions, and so should we!

The group’s core expertise is in advanced ultrafast spectroscopy, and you will have an opportunity to be part of the team building a new ultrafast laser lab from scratch based on brand-new equipment and novel laser technology. The new technology will be combined with the existing state-of-the-art laser spectroscopy approaches existing at the University of Zurich (2D IR spectroscopy, femtosecond-to-second transient absorption etc.), tailored molecular probes, electrochemistry and computer simulations to obtain comprehensive picture of electrostatic effects influencing chemical reactivity.

Interested in shaping new technology and wondering how to connect it to synthesis and real-world applications? Want to do electrochemistry without transferring any electrons? Would like to develop new modes of catalysis? Then you should apply!

More information can be found at

The successful candidate will:

• hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Chemistry/Physics or a closely related field.
• be hard-working, highly enthusiastic and motivated to learn new skills and work in a vibrant international environment of young highly ambitious scientists
• demonstrate proven academic excellence and passion for research, be ambitious, driven by curiosity and think outside of the box
• have strong independent learning skills and excellent command of English in both oral and written communication.

Additional plus points would be:

• expertise in programming/hardware interfacing/spectroscopy/surface science/electrochemistry.

What we offer:

We are a young and ambitious group aiming to understand fundamental chemical phenomena and reactivity in liquids and at interfaces that are of immense interest in many fields of basic and applied science and technology. We are located in a brand-new (2022) world-class research building. You will have an opportunity to gain technical expertise and perform complex experiments using equipment some of which has no analogues in the world.

You will be working in a vibrant international group of young talented scientists in a highly interdisciplinary inspiring environment. Collaboration is an indispensable part of our research. We are currently collaborating with multiple theoretical and experimental research groups across fields and countries all around the world.

You will have opportunities to develop various soft skills necessary for a future scientist and present your research at national and international scholarly meetings. Career planning and counseling are provided.

Outside of the lab, Zurich is one of the most comfortable cities to live in and features one of the best standards of living worldwide. PhD student salary is determined by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the current rate starts from 50’404 CHF/yr. + additional 15% social contributions and increases along your PhD trajectory according to preset rates.

Place of work:

University of Zürich (Irchel Campus)
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zürich

Application:

We welcome excellent students from all countries. We encourage to apply outstanding candidates regardless of their nationality, race, skin color, gender or any other personal identities.

You can apply here by submitting your application as a single pdf file. The application materials should include:

• CV
• motivation letter/statement of research interests and experience
• academic transcripts
• names of at least two references ready to send letters of recommendation (only upon request).

Consideration of applications starts immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The starting date is flexible and will be determined upon agreement.