Teaser Text

Modern energy technologies such as batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells usually rely on nanoporous, disordered materials through which ions must travel. This nanoconfinement induces many forms of couplings between charge and fluid transport, in no small part due to the inherently high surface-to-volume ratio of these structures. Disentangling the various physical effects in messy, realistic materials represents a formidable challenge which has so far remained largely unmet, especially when charge is injected locally inside the structures by electrochemistry.

In this research, you will construct artificial nanofluidic networks using lithography-based microfabrication. You will use these model systems to isolate, probe and manipulate the interactions between ion transport, electrochemistry and fluid dynamics, with the aim of understanding them and ultimately exploiting them to improve electrochemical energy devices. Examples include electrochemical self-induced convection, an effect we were involved in discovering, as well as creating positive feedback scenarios between electrocatalysis and ion spatial distributions.

What you will do

You will be part of Iontronics, a recently created multidisciplinary group within the Leiden Institute of Physics and with close ties to the Leiden Institute of Chemistry. This research forms part of the Advanced Nano-Electrochemistry Institute Of The Netherlands (ANION), a major program bringing together the expertise of the top researchers in the field nationwide.

You will:

• Design and fabricate micro- and nanofluidic structures using lithography. You will have access to both the local cleanroom at Leiden University and the national Nanolab facility at Delft University of Technology.
• Perform sensitive electrical measurements to probe electronic and ionic charge transport in these structures. This will build on a history of innovative electrical measurements within the group.
• Analyze and interpret your results, including quantitative simulations when required. This will be aided by the broad expertise in electrochemistry at Leiden University and more generally within the ANION network.

Where you will work

What you bring

In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• You have, or will shortly acquire, a master degree in physics, physical chemistry or closely related disciplines.
• You are an excellent experimentalist with an interest in microfabrication.
• You also have aptitudes for theory and modelling.
• You are enthusiastic and highly motivated.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.

What we offer

We also offer:

• We offer a full-time 1-year term position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;

• A starting salary of € 3059,00 based on a full-time appointment (38 hours); in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, pay scale P0;

• 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 a sabbatical or 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. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

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?

• In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
• We ensure that our lecturers have a good level of English competency. Lectures who teach subjects in English have a minimum level of C1 for their English proficiency. We also believe it is important for international staff to have a good level of Dutch: they are expected to have at least C1 level of Dutch proficiency. Other staff who have the prospect of a permanent position are expected to have at least a passive understanding of Dutch.
• Leiden University expects faculty members to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the new employee does not yet hold this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain it within two years.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid