PhD Position in Physics

This four-year fully funded PhD project revolves around theoretical predictions for electrochemical reactions at interfaces between solid electrodes and aqueous electrolytes. These reactions are of importance in for instance hydrolysers, where electron transfer between the electrode and a (de-)hydrated ion occurs during redox reactions. This multiscale challenge is embedded in a national consortium and involves the integration of statistical physics and chemical kinetics with hydrodynamics and numerics.

Your job

The Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS) has, in conjunction with the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP), an opening for a PhD candidate for a project on the (theoretical) physics of electrochemistry. Although electrochemistry is an established field that dates back to the nineteenth century, it is still full of fundamental physics challenges with a direct bearing on applications such as hydrogen production, batteries, and catalysis. The generic problem involves electron transfer processes during REDOX reactions in the atomic vicinity of a solid (or porous) cathode and anode in contact with an aqueous electrolyte. This not only requires (Ohmic) transport of electrons through an external circuit but also (Ohmic, diffusive, and advective) transport of chemical species (reactants and products) through the liquid electrolyte (see figure).

The reaction at the atomic scale is thus not only coupled to the hydration and solubility of the ions in the supporting electrolyte, but also to the polarization of the water molecules and the electric double layers in the nanometer vicinity of the electrodes. Moreover, on the macroscopic (device) scale even electrokinetic fluid flow phenomena (e.g. electro-osmosis and diffusio-osmosis) will occur, sourced in the nanometer vicinity of the electrodes.

Building on and guided by recent and ongoing theoretical and experimental research in this area, also within the embedding consortium, this project will address several of the profound challenges posed by this multiscale problem. Your task will be to learn and further develop theories:

1. that couple the kinetics of redox reactions with microscopic models of electrolytes; and
2. that bridge the gap between nanometer-scale statistical physics and macroscopic (device scale) osmotic-flow phenomena.

Moreover, next to theory development an important task is to perform numerical calculations for explicit electrochemical systems of experimental interest in the consortium. We offer an inspiring and stimulating environment on the crossroad of theoretical physics and electrochemistry, with a wide local embedding that not only combines physics and chemistry but also theory and experiment and possibly also fundamental and applied aspects.

Within four years after the start, the project is expected to lead to a PhD dissertation and a doctorate from Utrecht University.

Your qualities

You have a broad interest in physics and chemistry, good oral and written communication skills, and have an MSc degree in (theoretical) physics, theoretical chemistry, or a closely related (engineering or materials science) field. Experience with numerical methods and programming is required, and a background in soft-matter physics, physical chemistry, and fluid dynamics is an asset.

Our offer

• A stimulating scientific environment where you will have ample opportunity to develop your own research ideas on the topic;
• a full-time position for four years;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. These include agreements on facilitating professional development, leave and sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue investing in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS) with its focus on nanomaterials for sustainability and the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) with its broad research programme on fundamentals of physics are the two most relevant research institutes for this PhD project. They are both strongly connected by long-lasting collaborations involving experimentalists, computer simulators, and theorists working on various topics in soft matter, biophysics, electrochemistry, nanophotonics, and quantum materials, using and combining physics and chemistry perspectives. Both DINS and ITP are also strongly connected to the UU platform Science for Sustainability that forms a local community of researchers, lecturers, and students with a background in the natural sciences interested in a wide variety of sustainability issues. This specific project on the physics of  electrochemistry as well as DINS and ITP as a whole are therefore deeply embedded in the strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability.  

The PhD position is not only embedded locally within Utrecht University but also in the newly established Advanced Nano-electrochemistry Institute Of the Netherlands (ANION), funded by a "Zwaartekracht" project. ANION is a national consortium with nodes in Leiden, Amsterdam, Groningen, Twente, and Utrecht. It connects several academic research groups with state-of-the-art experimental, computational, and theoretical expertise on the chemistry and physics of electrochemical processes. ANION will study the properties of electrified interfaces with relevance for practical application in electrolysers, batteries and supercapacitors. Inspiration by and direct collaboration with other researchers, experimentalists as well as theorists, is foreseen within ANION.

The local ANION team at Utrecht University consists of researchers from the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS) and the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP): professor Petra de Jongh, Dr Peter Ngene, Dr Marijn van Huis, Dr Ben Erné (all DINS), and professor René van Roij (ITP). This team will be strengthened by the successful candidate together with another ANION-funded local PhD candidate and a postdoc, and by other ANION consortium members elsewhere in the Netherlands. The daily supervision will be in the hands of professor Van Roij in the ITP.

More information

For more information on this specific position, please contact professor René van Roij at r.vanroij@uu.nl. Please use the subject line "ANION application".  

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the 'apply now' button! Please enclose:

• your motivation letter;
• your curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two referees;
• a copy of your MSc certificate.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

The application deadline is 1 April 2025.