Postdoctoral position Sustainable Organic Chemistry; Organic Synthesis​/Catalysis

Organisation/Company Universiteit Antwerpen Department Chemistry Research Field Chemistry › Organic chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Belgium Final date to receive applications 31 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Aspostdoctoral fellow, you will be working in the Maes group of the division Organic Synthesis of the Department of Chemistry. The Maes group is a partner in the Centre of Excellence CASCH and the Valorization Platform In Sus Chem  of the University of Antwerp. Your research project will deal with the development of
new catalytic methodologies to transform biorenewable platform molecules into building blocks for the chemical industry.This research fits in the framework of the interdisciplinary and interuniversity iBOF project “ Engineered carbon surfaces for sustainable catalysis ” in collaboration with KULeuven. The partners @KULeuven have complementary expertises in the characterization of surfaces at nanoscale, modelling and heterogeneous catalysis.

Job description:As a holder of a PhD diploma with a very good theoretical and practical knowledge of organic synthetic chemistry you will develop novel catalysts based on carbon surfaces (such as graphene and its derivatives) and investigate applications of these catalysts towards transformation of bio-renewable platform molecules using several classes of organic reactions. Willingness to travel occasionally between Antwerp and Leuven (50 km distance) is required.

E-mail

Research Field Chemistry › Organic chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position holds a PhD degree in chemistry or PhD degree in bioscience engineering (option chemistry) with ability to perform autonomously organic synthesis reaction
, hands-on experience in analytical separation techniques, mass spectrometry, preparative purification techniques
, and structural characterization of organic molecules. Previous experience in (
organo) catalysis is a plus. The ability to work in a team as well as good communication/writing skills and a good mastery of the English language are required. Interest in multidisciplinary research is a strong advantage.