Master’s Thesis/Research Projects
We host master students for conducting various types of projects required by their study plan. Please see this document for guidelines of application.
Ph.D. Positions in Molecular catalysis, Biocatalysis, Energy Materials, or Energy Devices
From time to time (subject to the arrival of new funds or departure of former coworkers), we may have an opening for a Ph.D. position in one of the following areas:
(i) Homogeneous catalysis and synthetic methods for small molecule synthesis. An organic, organometallic, or bio-organic background is preferred.
(ii) Artificial enzyme and biocatalysis. We seek to modify metalloenzymes for mechanistic or synthetic applications. We also seek to apply biocatalysis for organic synthesis according to metabolic guidelines. A bio-organic or biochem background is preferred.
(iii) Electrocatalytic materials for energy conversion and storage. Typically nanoparticles or thin films. Reactions include water splitting (HER and OER), fuel cell reactions (HOR, ORR), CO2 reduction, and Li-ion battery reactions. A background in materials chemistry is preferred.
(iv) Electrochemical energy devices. Construction and optimization of fuel cells and electrolyzers, employing state of the art components as well as new materials from the lab. A background in materials or chemical engineering is preferred.
More information about EPFL and the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering can be found at: www.epfl.ch and isic.epfl.ch.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials is generally required. We expect you to have high grades (A-type; >5/6) and top rankings, as well as research experience in related fields. But most important is to have passion in research. Applicants whose first language is not English are recommended to provide results of the TOEFL and/or GRE tests, or other measure(s) of English proficiency. The initial appointment will be for one year. After one year you will have a qualifying exam. Those who pass the exam are definitely admitted to our PhD program. The normal duration of Ph.D. is 4 years. More information about the doctoral program can be found at: phd.epfl.ch
Interested candidates should include a curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts, names and contacts of three references, and a statement of motivation and career objective. Incomplete application will not be considered. Due to time constraint, we will only reply to those who will be further considered for on-site interviews (paid by us, available to international applicants too). If you do not hear from me within 2 weeks of initial application, please assume that you application is declined.
For applications and further information please contact:
Prof. Xile Hu
E-mail: [email protected]
The position requires acceptance in the Doctoral Program of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, for which you must file an application at: https://www.epfl.ch/education/phd/edch-chemistry-and-chemical-engineering/. Contact person: Ms. Anne-Lene Odegaard. You might contact Prof. Hu for the availability of position or a pre-evaluation of your profile before applying to the doctoral school.
Postdoctoral Position
Current positions: (for 2024)
Position 1: Membrane Development. Download a pdf file here.
In collaboration with an energy company, we have a project on the development of ion exchange membranes for electrochemical energy conversion devices, for example redox flow batteries. We are looking for two postdoctoral researchers. They are expected to synthesize and modify monomers and polymers and prepare membranes, as well as test them, either in collaboration, or by themselves, in lab-scale redox flow batteries (5 x 5 cm2).
The successful candidate should have experience in one or more of the following relevant areas such as polymer synthesis, membrane preparation, membrane modification, and membrane engineering. Experience in redox flow batteries or electrochemistry is a plus, but it is not required. The postdoc will work in a small team that researches on various aspects on membrane science and engineering. Strong communication and team-work skills are required.
The position is initially for one-year. There is possibility to extend the position for one more year pending the progress and mutual agreements.
For all applications, please send your candidature to Prof. Hu via [email protected]. Please include a CV, research interest, and names of two reference providers. In case of a large volume of applications, we can only reply to those who will be further considered for Zoom or onsite interviews. In this case if you do not hear from me within 2 weeks of initial application, please assume that you application is declined. Note that applications that do not meet the requirements stated above (e.g., necessary academic background) will not be replied.
Potential future openings would be in the following areas. Please check back later.
Area 1: Biocatalysis. (i) We are interested in developing artificial enzymes incorporating synthetic cofactors for mechanistic and synthetic applications. A recent example is the synthesis of the first Mn-hydrogenase with a non-native metal cofactor. (ii) We are interested in using enzymes, sometimes in tandem with chemical catalysis, for efficient organic synthesis. (iii) We seek to identify and apply appropriate combinations of enzymes for target organic synthesis, using tools of bioinformatics and metabolic engineering.
The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. in enzyme or bio-organic chemistry. Experience with protein purification and biocatalysis is desired. The project is ideal for biochemists who wish to learn molecular catalysis. The project may involve intense collaborations with biologists or chemical engineers.
Area 2: Energy materials and devices. Reactions include water splitting (HER and OER), fuel cell reactions (HOR, ORR), CO2 and CO reduction, etc. Devices include solid oxide cells (SOFC and SOEC), fuel cell, electrolyzers, and redox-flow batteries.
For all applications, please send your candidature to Prof. Hu via [email protected]. Please include a CV, research interest, and names of two reference providers. Due to time constraint, we will only reply to those who will be further considered for on-site interviews (paid by us, available to international applicants too). If you do not hear from me within 2 weeks of initial application, please assume that you application is declined.
Internship
In general, we cannot offer financial support for internships, and request for such support will not be replied.