Switzerland – Postdoc and PhD Positions in Catalysis at EPFL

University: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Country: Switzerland

Deadline: Not specified

Fields: Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Catalysis, Energy Science

Are you eager to advance the frontiers of catalysis research and contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions? If you are a highly motivated scientist or aspiring doctoral student with a passion for chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, the Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy (LNCE) at EPFL in Switzerland offers exceptional opportunities to launch or elevate your academic career.

The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) stands as one of Europe’s most prestigious research universities, renowned for its cutting‑edge scientific achievements and vibrant international community. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, EPFL provides an inspiring environment for research and innovation, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across its state‑of‑the‑art campus.

EPFL’s Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy (LNCE), led by Prof. Raffaella Buonsanti, is at the forefront of developing advanced materials and catalytic processes for energy conversion. The lab’s research directly addresses some of the most pressing challenges in energy and sustainability, positioning its members at the cutting edge of scientific discovery and technological impact.

The LNCE focuses on fundamental and applied research in catalysis, with a particular emphasis on high‑temperature electrocatalysis, thermal heterogeneous catalysis, and homogeneous catalysis. These areas are pivotal for the development of next‑generation energy technologies, including efficient fuel cells, sustainable chemical production, and advanced energy storage systems.

• Switzerland – PhD in Geomechanics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
• Germany – Postdoc in Molecular AI & Quantum Mechanics at Bayer
• United Kingdom – PhD in Brain‑Machine Interfaces at University of Southampton
• Canada – Fully Funded PhD in Structural Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal
• Germany – PhD in Behavioral Economics at Max Planck Institute

The LNCE, under the direction of Prof. Raffaella Buonsanti, is currently seeking:

• One postdoctoral researcher with expertise and a proven track record in catalysis or related fields.
• Two highly motivated PhD students with backgrounds in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering.

• Recently completed their PhD.
• Demonstrated excellence in research, with 2‑3 first‑author publications and several collaborative works in top‑tier journals such as JACS, ACS Catalysis, ACS Energy Letters, and Nature family journals.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• A continuous growth mindset and high motivation.
• Expertise in high‑temperature electrocatalysis, thermal heterogeneous catalysis, or homogeneous catalysis is preferred, but outstanding candidates in related research areas are also encouraged to apply.

• Hold a degree in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering.
• Highly motivated and talented, with a strong interest in catalysis and energy research.
• Eager to engage in innovative research and contribute to the group’s ongoing projects.
• All applicants should possess a collaborative spirit, a passion for discovery, and a commitment to scientific excellence.

For both postdoctoral and PhD positions, candidates are required to submit their application materials via email as specified below.

• Submit a CV, a one‑page proposal outlining research interests, and contact information for references.
• Email subject must be “Postdoc position”.
• Incomplete applications or those with incorrect subject lines will not be considered.
• If you do not receive a response within two weeks of your application, please assume that your application will not be considered further.

• Submit a CV and contact information for references.
• Email subject must be “PhD position”.
• Incomplete applications or those with incorrect subject lines will not be considered.
• If you do not receive a response within two weeks of your application, please assume that your application will not be considered further.

Please refer to the official advertisement for application details.

For more details and application instructions, visit: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

This is a unique opportunity to join a world‑class research group at one of Europe’s leading universities, working on challenges that have global significance. If you are passionate about catalysis, energy research, and scientific innovation, we encourage you to apply and take the next step in your academic journey.