Wee-Jun Ong

Wee-Jun Ong at the Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy and Catalysis Technology (CONNECT), Xiamen University Malaysia, is announcing multiple research openings for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 intakes. The project is centered on tunable metal-based electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for paired CO2 conversion and waste plastic/biomass valorization , with an additional focus on converting wastewater nitrate into ammonia as a sustainable hydrogen carrier. The research combines nanomaterials synthesis , in-situ/operando characterization , density functional theory , AI-assisted modelling , and techno-economic analysis . Open positions include multiple postdoctoral research fellows cum executive roles and multiple postgraduate research student positions at the Master’s and PhD levels. The post states that the opportunities are supported by a major research grant from the Ministry of Education and involve collaboration with industry in Malaysia as well as researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces (PCOSS). Eligible applicants should have backgrounds in Chemistry , Chemical Engineering , Materials Science , Nanotechnology , Catalysis , Computational Chemistry , or related disciplines. The post specifically says it welcomes only Malaysian applicants . Application deadline: 15 October 2026 (open until filled). Interested candidates should email their CV, cover letter, certificates, transcripts, research statement, and other documents to Prof. Dr. Wee-Jun Ong at [email protected] . Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This is a strong opportunity for students and researchers interested in clean energy , catalysis , CO2 utilization , circular economy , and advanced materials at Xiamen University Malaysia.

The Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) at Xiamen University Malaysia is seeking a (Senior) Technical Officer cum Executive to join its leading research hub. This role is ideal for professionals passionate about sustainable energy, nanotechnology, catalysis, and advanced materials science. Under the leadership of Professor Wee-Jun Ong, the center offers world-class facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories and advanced analytical infrastructure such as FTIR, Raman, XRD, LC-MS, and GC-MS, spanning over 600+ m² across five specialized labs. The successful candidate will provide technical and operational support for CONNECT researchers, manage day-to-day lab operations, oversee compliance and safety, and contribute to grant management and documentation. The position emphasizes global collaboration, high-impact research, and industry engagement, offering opportunities for career growth through publications, patents, and translational projects. Applicants must be Malaysian citizens with a minimum of a master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, or a related field; a Ph.D. is preferred. Candidates should have 1–4 years of relevant experience, proficiency in advanced analytical techniques (spectroscopy, chromatography, radiation-based methods), and strong troubleshooting and project management skills. Certification as a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) is an advantage. The role requires resourcefulness, self-motivation, resilience, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. The position offers a competitive monthly salary, with support subject to eligibility and performance. The application deadline is 31 March 2026, with the start date in April 2026 or as soon as possible. To apply, candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, certificates, transcripts, and supporting documents to the provided email addresses, clearly indicating the application title in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team at Xiamen University Malaysia, contribute to breakthrough research in sustainable technology, and advance your career in nanotechnology, catalysis, and materials science.

The Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) at Xiamen University Malaysia is recruiting for multiple research positions at the postgraduate (Masters and PhD) and postdoctoral levels for 2026. Under the supervision of Professor Wee-Jun Ong, a highly cited researcher and director of CONNECT, successful candidates will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team focused on pioneering sustainable energy and catalytic technologies. The research group is supported by a special ministry grant and offers access to world-class facilities, including advanced laboratories and in-situ characterization infrastructure. Research areas include advanced electrocatalysts for paired electrocatalysis (CO2 conversion, nitrate-to-ammonia, waste valorization), advanced photocatalysts for simultaneous redox photocatalysis, and AI/machine-learning-assisted DFT design for electro/photocatalytic CO2 conversion, nitrate-to-ammonia, and biomass/plastic valorization. The flagship project, 'Layered Double Hydroxides for Paired Electrocatalytic CO2 Conversion and Waste Plastic/Biomass Valorization,' aims to develop dual-function electrocatalysts using layered double hydroxides to convert CO2 into valuable fuels and upcycle waste plastics and biomass into high-value products. The research integrates advanced synthesis, in-situ characterization, DFT+AI modeling, and techno-economic analysis to create scalable, sustainable green technology. Eligibility requirements for PhD candidates include Malaysian citizenship, a Master's degree in a relevant field (or an outstanding Bachelor's with research experience), strong interest in sustainable energy, nanocatalysis, or computational chemistry, experience in lab work or simulation related to nanocatalysis, self-motivation, curiosity, eagerness to learn, and publications as first author in Q1 journals during the Master's. Masters applicants must be Malaysian, hold a Bachelor's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplines (CGPA ≥ 3.50), have a good academic record, interest in energy/environmental research, willingness for hands-on lab work, and publications as first author in Q1 journal is a plus. Postdoctoral applicants must be Malaysian, hold a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields, have a strong background in electrocatalysis, nanomaterials synthesis and/or DFT+AI modeling, experience with in-situ characterizations (FTIR, Raman, XAS, DEMS, etc.) preferred, good publication record (Q1 journals, top 10%), ability to work in a collaborative team, and proficiency in English. Funding includes a monthly stipend for postgraduate students and a monthly salary plus employment benefits for postdoctoral fellows. Additional benefits include direct collaboration with industry and global institutes, opportunities for high-impact publications, patent filing, participation in academic conferences, and career development in academia or industry. The application deadline is 31 March 2026, with positions open until filled for start dates between April and June 2026. To apply, submit your CV, cover letter, certificates, transcripts, research statement, and supporting documents to Prof. Dr. Wee-Jun Ong at [email protected] or [email protected], indicating the position applied for in your email subject. For more information, review the detailed eligibility criteria in the provided posters and visit the CONNECT center at Xiamen University Malaysia.

The Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) at Xiamen University Malaysia is inviting applications for multiple research positions for 2026, including Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Postgraduate Research Student (Master’s/PhD), and Senior Technical Officer. The research group, led by Prof. Wee-Jun Ong, focuses on advanced materials, catalysis, and sustainable technologies, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation. The flagship project, "Layered Double Hydroxides for Paired Electrocatalytic CO2 Conversion and Waste Plastic/Biomass Valorization," aims to develop dual-function electrocatalysts using layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to convert CO2 into valuable fuels and upcycle waste plastics and biomass into high-value products. The research integrates advanced synthesis, in-situ characterization, DFT+AI modeling, and techno-economic analysis to create scalable and economically viable green technology solutions. Applicants for the postdoctoral position must be Malaysian citizens with a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields. A strong background in electrocatalysis, nanomaterials synthesis, and/or DFT+AI modeling is required. Experience with in-situ characterizations (FTIR, Raman, XAS, DEMS) is preferred. Candidates should have a strong publication record (Q1 journals, top 10%) and the ability to work in a collaborative team. Proficiency in English is required. For postgraduate positions, a relevant undergraduate or master's degree and motivation for research in the listed areas are expected. The job scope includes leading and performing experimental/theoretical research in electrocatalyst development, simulation, and mechanistic studies, publishing high-impact papers, assisting in project progress reporting, and collaborating with industry and academic partners. Successful candidates will benefit from monthly salary and employment benefits, direct collaboration with industry and global institutes, opportunities to file patents, publish in high-impact journals, and participate in academic conferences. To apply, interested candidates should send their CV and relevant documents to Prof. Wee-Jun Ong at [email protected], clearly indicating the position applied for in the email subject line. The application window is open for the 2026 academic year, with a deadline of December 28, 2025. For more information, visit the CONNECT Research Center’s LinkedIn page or the provided announcement links. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated researchers to join a leading team in the fields of electrocatalysis, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy technologies at Xiamen University Malaysia.