PhD position in High-Entropy Oxides for Heterogeneous Catalysis

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

Synthesize and characterize materials for heterogeneous catalysis applicationsDevelop synthesis-structure-properties relationships to optimize material performance for CO2 valorizationWork with project partners to design and implement AI-assisted high-throughput synthesis and testing protocolsContribute to the publication of research results and present findings at national and international scientific conferences Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and proactive candidate with a strong academic background in materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a passion for sustainability and an interest in using innovative materials to address environmental challenges.Required qualifications include :

• A Masters degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field
• Experience in catalyst synthesis and characterization, or a strong willingness to learn
• A solid foundation in experimental research, data analysis, and scientific methods
• Interest in machine learning and data-driven approaches to materials discovery
• Strong interest in hands-on work and problem-solving
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal

We offer a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to work on a high-impact project at the intersection of materials science and environmental technology. The position is fully funded through an SNF Ambizione grant. The work will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Amy Knorpp at Empa, and the student will be enrolled at ETH Zurich under the supervision of Prof. van Bokhoven. The position is available starting July 1st or later, with a duration of 3-4 years.