Postdoc position in heterogeneous catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysts are needed to make things like fertilizers, medicines, foods, fuels, and plastics. We need them for most of our products. In the Catalysis and Self-Assembly Group at Linköping University, we develop fundamental concepts and new processes to make heterogeneous catalysts more active and selective. We are now looking for an outstanding postdoc to join our group!

Why join us?

In our group you will further develop your expertise in catalysis research. You will join a large and ambitious multidisciplinary project (e-foods) that will consist of 6 postdocs spread over several research groups. The project is well-funded and you will have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, specifically equipped for heterogeneous catalysis of gas and vapor phase reactants. Finally, you will have access to world-class characterization through collaboration with the electron microscopy center at Stockholm University.

Your research direction and work assignments

Your research will focus on developing heterogeneous catalysis of vapor phase reactants. The goal is to study vapor phase reactions of high boiling point liquids where the use of vapor phase enables chemistries that are not possible in the liquid phase. The use of vapor phase in heterogeneous catalysis can enable new chemistries because:

• Vapor-phase processing increases reactant diffusion rates by several orders of magnitude compared to liquid-phase.

• Concentrations of reactants in the gas / vapor phase are not limited by solubility in liquid as is the case for example with H 2 in aqueous phase during hydrogenation reactions.

• There are no solvent effects.

Questions that may be explored during your postdoc include

• How do reaction mechanisms differ in vapor phase compared to liquid phase?

• Can we design a reactor set-up that enables high-throughput vapor-phase processing of high boiling point liquids?

• Will vapor pressures of reactants and products be sufficient to allow vapor-phase processing?

• Will thermal stabilities of reactants and products be sufficient to allow vapor-phase processing at temperatures that allow reaction to take place?

Examples of work that you may carry out during your postdoc

• Test new catalysts and reactions in our reactor, equipped with in-line gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry.

• Synthesize heterogeneous catalysts by a variety of methods.

• Utilize relevant characterization techniques (e.g., electron microscopy, various spectroscopies, XPS, XRD, BET, etc.).

• Utilize isotope labeling to elucidate reaction mechanisms.

• Collaborate with computational chemists to elucidate reaction mechanisms.

Your work will be crucial to the broader development of new vapor phase reactions that are pursued in our group. This broader development will be done in a multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists, material scientists, and mathematicians.

Your workplace and research environment

This Postdoc position is jointly based in the CATSA group and the Berggren group at the department of Science and Technology at Linköping University’s Norrköping Campus. Most of your research will be conducted in the CATSA group under supervision of assistant professor Alexander Holm.

The CATSA group was formed in 2024 and is led by assistant professor Alexander Holm. Research in the group focus on fundamental and applied aspects of heterogeneous catalysis to make sustainable materials and chemicals. We also develop new characterization tools, especially in the field of electron tomography. Information about our research can be found here: Catalysis and Self-Assembly, CATSA . Information about Alexander Holm can be found here.

Your qualifications

By the start date, you have graduated with a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, materials science, or related fields.

You must have proven expertise in at least one (but preferably more) of the following fields: heterogeneous catalysis, elucidation of reaction mechanisms, design of laboratory flow reactors. The required expertise could be demonstrated through peer-reviewed papers, papers in review, conference proceedings, courses taught, etc.

Furthermore, you should be highly self-motivated and show profound interest in fundamental research. Great emphasis will also be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years. The employment is full-time.

Starting during Spring 2027 or by agreement.

Salary: and employment benefits

At Linköping University, salaries are set individually and differentiated, in accordance with the applicable collective agreements (RALS/RALS-T) and the university’s salary-setting guidelines. Starting salary for our Postdocs is around 43 000 SEK/month.

As an employee of Linköping University, you are entitled to the following benefits:

• Paid vacation (28 workdays per year, corresponding to 5 ½ weeks).

• Free access to the Swedish health-care system (full health-care coverage).

• Paid maternity / paternity leave (up to 390 days per child).

• Accrued pension. During your work-time in Sweden, you accrue income pension, paid by the employer, which is payable also if you leave Sweden.

• More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here .

• More information on the (free) Swedish social security system can be found here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see  Help for applicants .

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than November 23, 2026. Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

The application should be written in English and include

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page): The cover letter should describe what makes you interested in, and suitable for, this particular position.

• CV: The CV can be formatted according to your own design. It should include at least information on education (degrees including topics, schools/universities, years, and preferably average grades), publications (stating all information, including full author lists), any other merits you feel are relevant (skills, awards, etc.).

• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (i.e., MSc, BSc, or equivalent, in English), with grades.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities .

We look forward to receiving your application!

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