PFAS-free膜材料博士职位

Why apply? This multidisciplinary project integrates electrochemistry, metal–organic framework-based materials, and membrane chemistry to develop the next generation of high-performance membranes and unlock new possibilities for advanced molecular separation and transport.

Can you design the membrane that powers the next generation of electrolysers? Electrolysis and electrocatalysis have a key role to play in creating a more sustainable chemical industry. At the heart of these technologies are membranes that control the transport of protons and other species—but today’s proton exchange membranes rely heavily on PFAS-based materials such as Nafion®. We are looking for a PhD candidate to develop a new generation of high-performance, PFAS-free proton-conductive membranes. In this project, you will combine the unique properties of proton-conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with those of proton-conductive polymers to create innovative membrane materials. You will systematically investigate how molecular structure, composition, and membrane architecture determine proton transport and overall performance. Your research will span materials chemistry, membrane science, and electrochemistry. You will establish design principles for high-performance proton-conductive membranes and put your materials to the test in different electrolyser configurations. This is an opportunity to work at the interface of fundamental materials science and real-world energy technology, with the ambition to develop membrane materials that can help enable a cleaner and more sustainable chemical industry. The PhD students will be supervised by Dennis Hetterscheid (Leiden Institute of Chemistry).

What you bring We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate who is excited to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD at the interface of electrochemistry, materials chemistry, and membrane science. The project combines electrochemistry, MOF synthesis and characterization, physical measurements, and electrolysis studies, offering the opportunity to develop expertise across multiple fields.

You hold an MSc degree in Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline, with a background in one or more of the following areas: electrochemistry, membrane chemistry, MOF synthesis, or materials characterization. Most importantly, you are curious, eager to learn, and motivated to work across disciplinary boundaries.

You will join a highly collaborative and international research team of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, MSc students, and scientific staff. We collaborate extensively with research groups both locally and internationally, and work closely with industry partners to translate fundamental scientific discoveries into technologies with real-world societal impact.

We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our lab values diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in all their forms, and we strive to foster a safe and supportive workplace that encourages personal and professional growth, well-being, scientific integrity, and responsible research.

If you are excited by the opportunity to combine fundamental materials chemistry with electrochemical energy technologies and help develop the membranes of the future, we would love to hear from you.

Skills: • Hands-on experimental experience , with co-authorship of one or more scientific publications considered an advantage. • A strong interest in fundamental science and a genuine curiosity about understanding the principles underlying new materials and technologies. • High motivation for research , combined with a solid theoretical understanding of relevant scientific principles. • Strong organizational and time-management skills , with the ability to plan your work, work independently, and communicate your progress clearly. • Excellent written and spoken English . • A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively as part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team.

What we offer Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organization is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organize through Healthy University.

The position will be for a maximum of 4 years, and the candidate is expected to complete a PhD thesis at the end of this period. A contribution to classroom teaching (maximum 10% of the time) will be part of the responsibilities of the candidate, as well as supervision of BSc and MSc research projects that contribute to the goals of this PhD project.

We offer a stimulating and interactive research environment, free use of all state-of-the-art facilities, and a competitive salary.

We also offer: • An employment contract for 12 months initially, to be extended for 3 more years upon satisfactory performance. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities; • A salary between € 3.204,- and € 4.051,- gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours - PhD student); • A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP; • Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel; • Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week. • Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme; • If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands; • A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

Where you will work

Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Every year, Leiden University scores very well in prominent rankings. This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential.

Faculty of Science & Leiden Institute of Chemistry The Faculty of Science at Leiden University is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelors’ and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The research is embedded within the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, with its long-standing traditions of excellence in research. Apart from a state-of-the-art electrochemistry laboratory, and excellent synthesis facilities, preparation and measurement facilities, unconventional nanofabrication equipment and experimental setups to measure ion transport will be designed supported by outstanding mechanical and electronic workshops. We foster an international and collaborative atmosphere and have close ties to other institutes housed within our Faculty of Science and with many research groups within the Netherlands, and many prominent labs abroad.

What we value Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more? If you want to apply straight away, click the application button. If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Dr. Dennis Hetterscheid, at d.g.h.hetterscheid@chem.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 20 November 2026; You will receive a response to your application no later than two weeks after the vacancy closing date.

Your application should include a motivation letter clearly indicating WHY you apply for this position and project and WHAT makes you a suitable candidate, an extensive CV, the courses you took and grades you obtained in your Master’s studies, and the names and contact details of at least two references.

You will receive a response to your application no later than two weeks after the vacancy closing date.

If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact our management- & office assistent Angelo Philippi ( a.philippi@lic.leidenuniv.nl ).

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions