Job description
Are you passionate about electrochemical engineering, paired electrolysis, circular chemistry and biomass valorization?
We offer a challenging PD position in our group on “Paired Electrolytic Valorization of Biomass-Derived Acids and Sugars”.
You will:
- Carry out research in a large, multi-partner research program targeting electrochemical routes for biomass valorization.
- Focus on paired electrolysis, coupling anodic oxidation of carboxylic acids with cathodic reduction of biomass-derived sugars to maximize energy and atom efficiency.
- Develop scalable, industrially relevant electrochemical processes for bio-based chemicals, monomers, and polymer building blocks.
The world needs to accelerate in transitioning toward green, sustainable and circular chemical production methods. This also applies to production of fine chemicals and specialties. Our national research program addresses challenges such current high costs, operational stability, selectivity, scalability, sensitivity to impurities and feed variabilities as well as supply disruptions and market volatilities associated to green chemical processes. We will develop processes and electrification strategies to help industries and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) quickly adapt production processes to changing markets and conditions, while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Your research project at the University of Twente (UT)
aims to:
- Develop, fabricate, and optimise electrode materials and reactor concepts for the electrochemical reduction of pyrolytic sugars (e.g. glucose, fructose).
- Control process selectivity and efficiency by tuning local pH, current density, mass transport, and electrode architecture.
- Perform and analyse paired electrolysis experiments, coupling sugar reduction with water oxidation or carboxylic acid oxidation.
- Contribute to system-level understanding of energy efficiency, and scalability of paired electrochemical processes.
Key Collaborations and Industrial Interface
- BTG Biomass Technology Group: pyrolytic sugar feeds, small-scale electrolysis testing
- Nobian: electrochemical scale-up, process design, industrial engineering
- TNO & Chaincraft: system integration, biomass-to-chemicals value chains
Skills and competences you will develop
- Advanced electrochemical research skills, including reactor development.
- Electrode and process optimisation expertise.
- Experience with biomass-derived, and application-oriented electrochemical conversion.
- Strong exposure to scale-up and industrial research.
- Proven consortium and leadership skills, working in a multidisciplinary, international research environment.
Your profile
- PhD in chemical engineering, electrochemistry, catalysis, or a closely related field.
- Affinity with sustainable chemistry and biomass valorisation.
- A demonstrated record of relevant publications or patents, and conference talks.
- Able to work independently and as part of a greater consortium, in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
- Able to contribute to the social well-being, diversity and culture of the research group.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with data interpretation and performance metrics
- Fluent in English. Good communication skills and motivation to supervise students and publish results
Our offer
- A full-time position for 18 months, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home. (Alternatively, if desired, we can offer a temporary contract for 32 hours, with the end date extended pro rata).
- Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
- You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 4.241,- to € 5.538,-.
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
- A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
- Free access to sports facilities on campus.
- Excellent career support and courses for your professional and personal development.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position?
Please send your application only via the 'Apply now' button below before May 24, 2026.
We strongly encourage women and underrepresented candidates to apply!
In your application, please include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position. Please highlight i) how your PhD research, skills and profile make you qualified for this postdoc position; ii) what are your career objectives; and iii) which key competences you would bring in and iv) which · part(s) of this project you would be most excited to work on.
- A Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages A4), including your professional experience, your education, and – if applicable – reference contacts or letter(s) of recommendation, together with a list of publications / patents.
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact: Marco Altomare, m.altomare@utwente.nl
Applications sent via e-mail only might not be considered.
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 related 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 focus areas.
Our main research goal is to understand and develop chemical processes with reduced environmental impact, by both using alternative feedstocks and sources of energy.
Working in an international research group of ca. 30+ researchers (PhDs/postdocs/MSc students) with expertise in electrochemical engineering, electrochemistry, catalysis, and energy materials.
Access to top-notch infrastructure of the University of Twente, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the MESA+ Institute of Nanotechnology – e.g., Electrochemical reactor development and testing, electrodes and materials fabrication and characterization, and micro- and nano- fabrication and characterization infrastructure.
Personalized supervision and mentorship – customizable meetings (e.g., format, frequency) and structured mentoring for scientific and career development.
A dynamic and collaborative research environment – this position is part of the NWO Dutch National Growth fund Groenvermogen NL HyFINE (total investment 25 Meur), in collaboration with Dutch academia, chemical companies and SMEs – totalling, overall, 35 consortium partners.
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.
