PhD in Computational Catalyst Design for CO2 and CO Hydrogenation Wageningen University & Research in Netherlands

PhD Opportunity at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands

This post advertises a fully funded PhD position in Computational Catalyst Design at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The project focuses on the atomic-level design of catalysts for CO2 and CO hydrogenation, with an emphasis on uncovering reaction mechanisms and structure–reactivity relationships in heterogeneous catalysis.

Research areas and methods: computational chemistry, catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, density functional theory (DFT), ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), machine learning potentials (MLP), and catalyst design for sustainable carbon-based chemistry. The project is part of a broader consortium working on green hydrogen and renewable electricity for carbon-based chemistry, with industrial and experimental collaboration.

Candidate profile: applicants should have an MSc in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline. Experience with DFT, AIMD, and computational modeling is expected, along with programming/scripting skills such as Python and Bash. The post also asks for strong interest in catalysis and machine-learning applications, plus excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Funding and benefits: the vacancy image states the position is fully funded and includes a salary of €3,059–€3,881 gross per month, an 18-month contract extendable to 4 years upon good performance, an 8.3% year-end bonus, partially paid parental leave, pension scheme, flexible working hours, sports facilities, and tailored PhD training and development. Support is also mentioned for international researchers, including visas, relocation, and housing.

How to apply: apply through the WUR vacancies website. Submit a CV and motivation letter, with a maximum of 3 pages in total. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Scientific contact: Dr. Guanna Li ([email protected]). A second contact listed for procedure questions is Rutger Voorrips ([email protected]).