Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are seeking an enthusiastic new colleague as a postdoctoral research associate in the field of Materials Chemistry with a strong background, particularly in Solid State Chemistry and (Photo)electrochemistry, and interest in industrial applications and cooperation to join the Mads Clausen Institute (MCI) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Sønderborg, Denmark. The position is for two years with an expected starting date of 01.03.2027. 

MCI is a part of the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and covers research and education, including applications of engineering sciences. Our working language is English, reflecting the fact that far more than half of our students and staff have international roots. We are located at SDU’s beautiful campus in Sønderborg, in the inspiring building of Alsion, which is a centre for science, culture and learning in the heart of Sønderborg and perched on the strait of water separating the island of Als from the mainland. The university has very close relations with industries in Sønderborg, Southern Denmark, and Northern Germany.

The successful candidate is expected to carry out research mainly within a project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The project is hosted by the nanotechnology centre NanoSYD, a part of MCI, and it is integrated into the novel, active working group CatMatX, a research laboratory focused on developing next-generation catalytic materials for sustainable energy and environmental applications,  by Professor Mirabbos Hojamberdiev. The research work involves the synthesis and characterization of novel compounds based on mixed-anion compounds (e.g., transition metal (oxy)nitrides) and the evaluation of their performance in solar water splitting. Also, the successful candidate is expected to be actively involved in the supervision of MSc and PhD students affiliated with SDU NanoSYD, preparing project reports, presentations, and publications, as well as writing project proposals to support research at SDU NanoSYD. 

Job Description and Responsibilities

• Implementation of research tasks related to the project;
• Collaborative and independent research planning, materials synthesis and characterization, and evaluation of materials performance in solar water splitting;
• Independent characterization, data analysis, and interpretation of research results;
• Scientific communication and presentation of research results at group seminars, scientific conferences, project meetings, etc.;
• Publishing of project results in international peer-reviewed scientific journals with high impact factors.

Potential Responsibilities 

• Supervision of BSc, MSc, and exchange/visiting students who perform research work on similar research topics;