Postdoc position: Upcycling CO2 into valuable materials using plasma
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
Publication date:
14 January 2025Workload:
100%Contract type:
Unlimited employment- Place of work:St. Gallen
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.
Postdoc position: Upcycling CO2 into valuable materials using plasma
The Plasma & Coating Team at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (ETH Domain), aims to harness the power of lightning-inspired innovation for a sustainable world. It comprises world-leading scientists and highly skilled engineers specialized in plasma technology applications, making it the key plasma chemistry laboratory in Switzerland. With expertise in reactor design, plasma-based gas conversion for energy and environmental applications and plasma reaction modelling, our interdisciplinary team is poised to drive innovation in CO2 conversion technologies.
Your tasks
Employ plasmas and renewable energy to upcycle the two primary greenhouse gases, CO2 and CH4, into the raw material of the future. Its unique qualities as a Power-to-X technology make plasma processing a promising method to decarbonize energy-intensive industrial processes while creating sustainable products from greenhouse gases.
The postdoc work will involve:
- Investigate the effects of pressure and temperature on plasma-driven reactions.
- Design and conduct experiments for CO2 conversion, CH4 pyrolysis, and their combined conversion to identify optimal process conditions.
- Explore, adapt, refine, and validate analytical methodologies for FTIR, GC, and OES.
- Develop and propose original research ideas within the project’s framework.
- Interact closely with other team members and labs at Empa as well as within the ETH Domain.
- Play a pivotal role in building a solid network with potential partners.
- Communicate the results via peer-reviewed journals, project reports, (inter)national conference presentations, industry meetings, and digital media.
Your profile
- PhD degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering or related field.
- Experience in plasma-based gas conversion, ideally using RF/MW discharges.
- Knowledge of plasma chemistry, modelling and/or chemical engineering is a plus.
- Highly motived and inspired individual with a strong dedication to cutting-edge research for energy and environmental solutions.
- Self-driven curiosity and hands-on mentality in the lab.
- Creative scientist, open communicator, committed team player and responsible researcher with an ethical mindset.
- Desire to strengthen own academic record and global industrial network.
- Fluency in both verbal and written English. Knowledge of German or another official Swiss language is advantageous.
Our offer
We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure and broad interdisciplinary surroundings with possibilities for personal and professional development. Start date of the position from spring/summer 2025 onwards. The contract is initially for two years.
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 and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
