Are you passionate about electrochemical engineering and materials for electrochemical conversion?
We offer a challenging PhD position in our group on “High pressure CO2 electrolysis”.
You will carry out research on materials for electrochemical conversion and electrochemical engineering within the largest program in Europe on green carbon conversion, i.e., the Dutch consortium HyCARB.
Converting CO2 into valuable chemicals using renewable electricity is a key challenge for the sustainable chemical industry. Electrochemical CO2 conversion offers a promising pathway to utilize renewable energy while producing essential chemical building blocks. However, achieving selective and efficient production of specific molecules remains a major scientific challenge.
This PhD project aims to develop a new electrochemical route for converting CO2 (or CO) into formate / formaldehyde, important platform chemicals for the chemical industry. By enabling the direct production of formate / formaldehyde from carbon-based feedstocks using renewable electricity, the project contributes to the development of sustainable chemical manufacturing and carbon utilization technologies.
The research will focus on the development of novel electrocatalyst materials and electrochemical reactor concepts. In particular, the project will explore high-pressure continuous flow electrochemical cells and advanced electrode materials to enable efficient conversion of CO2 to formate / formaldehyde.
To understand how catalyst properties and operating conditions determine product selectivity, energy efficiency, and system stability, as a PhD candidate, you will:
- Design and synthesize novel electrode materials for electrochemical CO2 conversion.
- Perform electrochemical testing and product analysis.
- Develop and operate high-pressure continuous flow electrochemical cells.
- Apply in situ spectro-electrochemical techniques to study reaction mechanisms.
- Relate catalyst properties and operating conditions to selectivity, energy efficiency, and system stability.
- Publish results in scientific journals and present at international conferences.
The project combines fundamental mechanistic research with applied reactor engineering, aiming to move the technology from early proof-of-concept towards higher technological maturity.
During the project, you will:
- Gain expertise in electrocatalysis, electrochemical reactor engineering, and advanced spectroscopy.
- Work in a large national research consortium with academic and industrial partners.
- Build an international research network and present your work at conferences.
- Develop both fundamental scientific insight and applied engineering skills.
- Receive mentoring to support your academic or industrial career.
You will work in Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Twente, also in collaboration with researchers within the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology. The project will be supervised by Marco Altomare and Guido Mul, who will support you in developing your scientific profile, publishing your work, and building your professional network.
The project is part of the HyCARB program within the GroenvermogenNL initiative, involving a large network of academic and industrial partners across the Netherlands.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before April 10, 2026, and include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position.In the cover letter, please highlight i) how a PhD at the University of Twente fits into your personal life goals; ii) what part of the PhD project you would be most excited to work on; iii) which elements from your set of skills and background you expect to be most useful for the project; and iv) an example of resilience from your life, education or research.
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
- An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact: Marco Altomare, m.altomare@utwente.nl
(Please do not contact us for unsolicited services)
About the department
Reinventing chemical processes!
The ambitious climate goals – 50 percent CO2 reduction by 2030, even 95 percent by 2050 – put a high responsibility on the shoulders of the chemical industry and academic research and development.
Our department of Chemical Engineering (CE) at the University of Twente (UT) is fully invested into this challenge!
To find new solutions, UT’s CE department combines the expertise of six strong research groups and a unique infrastructure by including several key expertise. Physical chemistry of interfaces, reactor- and process-design, electro- (and photo-) catalysis, transport, separation, including their modelling and further integration are among the UT CE department’s expertise.Our main research goal is to understand and develop chemical processes with reduced environmental impact, by both using alternative feedstocks and sources of energy.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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