Postdoctoral Position in Catalysis Engineering

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognised chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organised into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The Analytical Chemistry Group focuses on the development of new or greatly improved techniques or methods for the analysis of complex mixtures. The technical focus is on one- and two-dimensional separation methods, on hyphenation with detection and sample-preparation systems and on chemometric techniques for data handling and optimization. The application focus is on macromolecules, forensic science and a variety of other fields.

The Computational Chemistry Group is one of the research groups within the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Our research focuses on the development and application of advanced molecular simulation and multiscale modelling methodology to obtain novel and improved understanding of the behaviour of (bio)materials, and of complex (bio)chemical and physical processes that are of technological and scientific importance.

The Molecular Photonics Group aims to advance the fundamental knowledge of the dynamics of excited states in molecules and nano-sized objects, and to contribute with its expertise to applications of the photosciences.

The Synthesis & Catalysis encompasses organic synthesis and all aspects of catalysis, including homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, biocatalysis, organocatalysis, and catalysis engineering. Projects range from fundamental to applied research, with strong valorization aspects. The Synthesis & Catalysis represents these research groups:
-    The Biocatalysis Group is part of the UvA Research Priority area in “Sustainable Chemistry” and carries out cutting-edge research at the interphase between the chemical and the biological sciences.
-    The Catalysis Engineering Group focus to develop sustainable chemical processes. We combine knowledge from the fields of Materials Science and Chemical Science with expertise in the field of Reactor Engineering. 
-    The Flow Chemistry Group’s mission is to expand the available chemical space by embracing technology to the fullest extent. The aim of the Flow Chemistry group (a.k.a. the Noël Research Group) is to build bridges between chemical engineering and organic synthetic chemistry. Consequently, long-standing problems in synthetic chemistry can be overcome, which includes scalability, gas-liquid reactions, photochemistry, electrochemistry and the generation and use of hazardous reagents. This allows us to effectively expand the available chemical space by bringing overlooked or avoided reagents into play.
-    The Functional Materials Group focuses on developing fundamental knowledge and materials that enable low-energy routes for the synthesis of chemicals, efficient molecular separations and selective chemical sensing.
-    The Heterogeneous Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group’s mission is to discover new catalysts and materials for sustainable chemistry and energy applications.
-    The Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis Group main research objective is the development of novel catalytic processes driven by our knowledge of the relationship between structure and performance of the catalyst. Research projects span from fundamental to applied catalysis, the latter in collaboration with industry and via spin-off companies.
-    The Industrial Sustainable Chemistry Group focuses on the transition to a circular economy and more specifically the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy, connecting sustainable development and production of energy and chemicals. The group’s focus is on future polymers with bulk volume potential. We are active in projects involving biorefinery technology (industrial sugars), and monomers from biomass and from CO2 (the only two alternatives for fossil feedstock when making polymers).
-    The Synthetic Organic Chemistry Group aims at the development of new synthetic methodologies and the (enantioselective) synthesis of biologically active molecules, using methodologies developed in our own group or in other groups.
In several research projects they cooperate with national and international chemical and pharmaceutical companies, sharing their expertise.

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. 

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.