Postdoctoral Researcher for Structural Studies of Polyoxometalate Clusters

About the Group 

The DISORDER Group, led by Assistant Professor Espen Drath Bøjesen, focuses on investigating materials at the border between order and disorder. Our team uses state-of-the-art electron microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques to uncover the hidden mysteries within this exciting field.
 

Position Details

• Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
• Duration: 30 months
• Project: Revealing the Structure of Polyoxometalate Clusters (RESPOM)
• Objective: To fully understand the synthesis-structure-function relationships of polyoxometalates (POMs) in their non-crystalline active state, whether in solution, as amorphous solids, or tethered to surfaces.
• Funding: Supported by a Sapere Aude Grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark
• Start Date: Tentative start date 01.10.25 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project Description 

RESPOM aims to leverage the immense progress in structural biology and state-of-the-art four-dimensional scanning electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to characterize POM clusters in their application-relevant states. This will allow us to establish firm connections between their catalytic properties and structures and aid our synthesis of new POMs. The project will expand beyond traditional studies limited to crystalline POMs and remove existing confines imposed on the rational design of tailor-made non-crystalline POMs to meet unmet needs in fields such as energy storage, sensors, catalysis, and nanomedicine.
The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with a PhD student and other younger students, contributing to a dynamic and supportive research environment. The candidate will also have responsibilities related to training other team members in relevant skills, fostering a collaborative and educational atmosphere within the group. The project involves a mixture of method development and proof-of-concept studies and potentially discovery of new functional POM based materials. Moreover, the project involves collaborative partners from Copenhagen University, Monash University, and the      University of Bern, thus presenting ample opportunities to expand ones scientific network.

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate for the position should have the following qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in a relevant field such as Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or Nanoscience from a recognized university.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality research results.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with students and academic staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in English to effectively communicate scientific information.
• Ability to conduct independent research or work under limited supervision and in collaboration with other academic staff.

Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the following is required: Advanced (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, EXAFS, total scattering, as well as Python programming (or equivalent)
Demonstrated high-level expertise in any of the following areas will count favorably toward the assessment:

• Synchrotron experiments (XRD, PDF, EXAFS)
• Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
• Pair angle distribution function (PADF) analysis
• Time-resolved studies of structural changes
• Crystallography
• Electron scattering theory
• Competency in processing and analyzing time-resolved data and handling large datasets.
• Synthesis and characterization of polyoxometalates
• Electrochemical catalysis and characterization techniques (CV, LSV, EIS, CA, CP)
• In situ or operando studies related to electrocatalysis

What we offer 

Join our team and enjoy a young, dynamic, pleasant work environment fostering collaboration and innovation. We work at the forefront of method development with 4D-STEM. You will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, including a Talos 200FX equipped with a 512x512 Merlin detector from Quantum Detectors and Titan Krios microscopes equipped with state of the art detecors. This ensures that you have access to the latest detector technology. Additionally, you will have opportunities to travel to world-leading electron microscopy and electrochemical nanocatalysis facilities to collaborate and further your research. You will be allowed to teach and supervise to the degree you are interested in, thereby building these skills. In modern-day academia, such skills are important assets on the CV of a junior researcher.

The Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center 

The place of work is iNANO, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (www.inano.au.dk), which was established in 2002 and at present is a major research and education center based at Aarhus University hosting 60 senior scientists, ~80 PostDocs, and ~80 PhD students. The center combines expertise and faculty from Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology, and Medicine to conduct world-class interdisciplinary research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The center gives access to a broad range of infrastructure, tools, and expertise, including clean-room facilities. With a 5-year undergraduate nanotechnology program and a nanoscience graduate program (www.inanoschool.au.dk) the center provides a full educational environment. In addition to the large base of basic research, the center has many ongoing industrial projects and partnerships.

Contact information 

For further information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Assistant Professor Espen Drath Bøjesen

• Phone: +4520478910
• E-mail: espen.bojesen@inano.au.dk
• Website: www.disordergroup.org

Place of work and area of employment 

The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.