Postdoctoral Researcher in Green Hydrogen and Biomass Valorization
The Department of Chemistry is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher in Green Hydrogen & Biomass Valorization. The position will start in April 2026 or as soon as possible and will last for 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 3 years pending new external funding.
This postdoctoral position focuses on advancing biomass‑assisted hydrogen production by coupling the electro‑oxidation of selected biomass (e.g., glycerol, alcohols) with hydrogen evolution. The goal is to improve energy efficiency while producing value‑added organic acids. You will work closely with national collaborators and contribute to high‑impact publications, open data/SOP development, and future research funding proposals.
Your Role:
- Synthesize and characterize electrocatalysts (alloys, oxides, carbons, etc) and porous electrodes
- Develop laboratory‑scale electrochemical workflows (CV, CA, EIS, RDE, RRDE) and transition experiments to flow‑cell and zero‑gap MEA systems
- Quantify activity, efficiency, durability, and product selectivity (HPLC, MS, NMR, etc.)
- Co‑lead manuscripts, present results at conferences, and participate in the supervision of MSc/PhD students
- Contribute TEA/LCA inputs and support new grant applications (enabling potential multi‑year extension)
Who we are looking for
The successful applicant will meet the following requirements:
- PhD (completed by the start date) in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field
- Extensive hands‑on experience in electrocatalysis and/or electrolysis
- Strong skills in materials synthesis and characterization (e.g., XRD, SEM/TEM, XPS, ICP)
- Proven ability to analyze electrochemical and analytical data, and to write scientific manuscripts in English
Strong Pluses (any subset):
- Experience with alkaline electrolysis, alcohol/biomass electro‑oxidation, or Ni/Co/Cu catalyst systems
- Experience with flow cells/MEAs, gas‑diffusion electrodes, ink formulation, or zero‑gap operation
- Method development in materials or electrochemical characterization; Python/Matlab/R for data analysis or automation
- Exposure to techno‑economic assessment (TEA), LCA, or industry collaboration
The duties, qualification requirements, and language skills of a postdoctoral researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines.
Benefits
What we offer to you:
- A dynamic research environment within JYU’s Faculty of Mathematic and Science and Department of Chemistry, access to advanced electrochemistry laboratories and analytical instrumentation, and opportunities to collaborate with national partners
- Mentoring for career development, support for conference travel (subject to budget), and a clear pathway to extend the postdoctoral appointment up to 3 years upon securing external funding
- Competitive salary according to the JYU salary system for teaching and research staff (job requirement level 5–6, plus a personal performance component). The final monthly salary will be approximately €3500–€5000 (gross income) depending on qualifications and performance
- We also support your relocation to Jyväskylä with a settling-in allowance
At the University of Jyväskylä, we also offer a great and lively campus area with opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland in the Finnish lakeland and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. Finland has a high standard of living, with free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, good family benefits, and healthcare. The city of Jyväskylä is a major educational center and the city has a large student population. As such there is a vibrant cultural scene in the city. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.
How to apply?
Please make sure that your ORCID-profile (https://orcid.org) works: your publications are listed and public (Set visibility: Everyone). You cannot apply to this job without an ORCID profile.
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
- A Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- A short and free-form motivation/cover letter (max 2 pages), including your research interests, career goals and previous experience and merits in relation to the qualifications for this position.
- A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicant's ability and merits for the position using the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland.
- Degree certificate (highest degree).
- Contact details for two referees (Other Attachement).
Applications should be submitted via the University of Jyväskylä online application form by March 5, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews.
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Ali Davoodi, ali.a.davoodi@jyu.fi. Applications sent via email are not considered.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. All appointment decisions are based on careful consideration within the faculty. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for this position.
Department of Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry is internationally renowned for its high-quality research and teaching. We offer comprehensive, research-based chemistry education that crosses traditional subject boundaries and fosters a strong sense of community. Our teaching is being modernized through careful, collaborative efforts. The department’s key research areas include functional molecules and materials, chemical nanoscience, circular economy, and chemistry education. The department provides access to up-to-date chemistry infrastructure, including NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, ICP analytics, and laser laboratories. Additionally, the Nanoscience Center offers high-quality infrastructure for nanofabrication and characterization. With a broad range of advanced tools, equipment and infrastructure, we support high-level international research collaborations and diverse teaching opportunities. We also have research groups that develop and apply density functional theory and other theoretical methods to understand and support experimental research related to hydrogen production and storage. Central to our approach is close cooperation within the department, faculty and with external partners, as demonstrated by the shared use of research facilities. We value in-depth fundamental research and the development of innovative applications built upon it. With a community of around 130 people, we have a significant proportion of international staff, enriching our work with diverse expertise and perspectives.
The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centered environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. JYU's naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.
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