Postdoctoral Researcher in Mechanistic Interface Science for Lithium-based Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

Postdoctoral Researcher in Mechanistic Interface Science for Lithium-based Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

Aalto University

Espoo, Finland

€ 4,130 - € 4,550 per month

Are you excited about mechanistic electrochemistry and state-of-the-art operando/cryogenic characterization of reactive interfaces?

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to lead the development of an advanced and correlative characterization workflow for lithium deposition and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) analysis in lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction reaction (LiNRR) systems for green ammonia synthesis at Aalto University’s Department of Applied Physics. In this position, you will have a chance to make an impact by establishing reliable, multimodal methods that connect interphase chemistry and morphology to electrochemical performance, stability, and degradation mechanisms. Join us in shaping the future of advanced electrochemical interface science!

LiNRR is a highly dynamic electrochemical process where Li plating/stripping, SEI formation, electrolyte/proton-source reactions. These co-evolve and directly influence ammonia formation and energy efficiency. This position targets the core bottleneck: turning complex, sensitive interphases into measurable, interpretable mechanisms through operando and in-situ observation and correlative analysis. Alternative mediated systems other than lithium will also be investigated. Your work will also build transferable capability for other lithium and battery-relevant interfacial processes.

This postdoctoral position is funded through a recent M-Era.Net project “Ammonia Production via Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen” and the project partners also includes SINTEF, Solvenian National Institute of Chemistry, as well as industrial partners - NitroVolt and NanoScientifica.

Your role and goals

• Build a correlative characterization and analysis workflow for Li deposition and SEI evolution, integrating structural and chemical information at various length- and timescales;
• Perform operando and post-mortem characterization to obtain mechanistic understanding of Li deposition and SEI evolution. A toolkit of morphological, strucutral and chemical analysis techniques will be used, including: cryo-FIB/SEM, cryo-TEM, in-situ and liquid-cell TEM, EC-AFM, XCT, SAXS, XAS, XRS, XPS, etc.;
• Correlate materials characterization results with electrochemical kinetics analysis and computational insights for mechanistic interpretation of LiNRR and beyond-Li NRR;
• Collaborate with the project partners and support their research activities in this project;
• Support other electrochemical studies (e.g., batteries) within the group.

Your experience and ambitions

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a PhD in physics, materials science, chemical engineering, or a closely related field;
• Experienced in electrochemical ammonia synthesis, preferrably LiNRR;
• Strong background in electrochemical interfaces and/or advanced materials characterization;
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following:
  • In situ/operando spectroscopy (incl. operando FTIR, Raman, and X-ray spectroscopy);
  • AFM and/or 3D imaging (e.g., XCT);
  • Cryo-FIB/SEM and cryo-STEM & liquid-cell TEM.
• Experienced in glovebox workflows and controlled sample transfer;
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment;
• EN: Fluency in English is required (spoken and written);
• FI: Finnish language is not required; proficiency is considered an advantage.

This position offers a rare combination of electrochemistry, operando and in-situ characterization, and correlative mechanism-driven analysis for green ammonia via LiNRR. You will help build a platform capability that enables reliable, interpretable insight into one of the most challenging interface problems in electrochemistry, with strong links to both battery-relevant science and industrial translation.