• Develop, optimise, and scale the one-step conversion of borax into battery-grade sodium borate electrolytes to >1 kg scale.
• Expand the BOR-LYTE electrolyte portfolio to additional sodium borates using synthetic, mechanistic, process-oriented and digitalized approaches.
• Perform purification, crystallisation, drying, and quality-control workflows to achieve battery-grade purity (<15 ppm H₂O, >99.9% purity).
• Operate and optimise 2 L and 5 L reactor systems (stirring, dosing, heating, solvent recycling) to reach TRL4 performance.
• Work closely with external partners by supplying and evaluating electrolytes in full cell testing environments.

• When the work intensifies during scale-up phases, you keep oversight of priorities and maintain a structured workflow.
• You collaborate smoothly with colleagues, students, and industrial partners, and you communicate your results clearly as well as document your results in proper digital manner.
• You enjoy solving complex experimental challenges and take initiative in improving reaction procedures and analytical methods.
• A PhD (working and thinking level) in Physical Organic and main-group chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: Schlenk-line or glovebox techniques, inorganic/organometallic synthesis, electrochemistry, mechanochemistry, flow chemistry, scale-up, crystallisation, and advanced analytical methods (NMR, IR, MS, PXRD).
• (Additional experience with reaction engineering, reactor optimisation, python for data analysis is considered beneficial but not required.)

You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic, curiosity-driven environment with strong links to industry and innovation. The BOR-LYTE project is fast-moving and highly visible, providing an excellent platform to develop both scientific and translational skills. We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of up to 8 months. The preferred starting date is ultimately 1st of February 2026.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,546 - € 5,538 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.