PhD position electrochemical nanofluidics energy research

PhD position on electrochemical nanofluidics for energy research

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Applying is possible up to and including: 28 juni 2026

Modern energy technologies such as batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells usually rely on nanoporous, disordered materials through which ions must travel. This nanoconfinement induces many forms of couplings between charge and fluid transport, in no small part due to the inherently high surface-to-volume ratio of these structures. Disentangling the various physical effects in messy, realistic materials represents a formidable challenge which has so far remained largely unmet, especially when charge is injected locally inside the structures by electrochemistry.

In this research, you will construct artificial nanofluidic networks using lithography-based microfabrication. You will use these model systems to isolate, probe and manipulate the interactions between ion transport, electrochemistry and fluid dynamics, with the aim of understanding them and ultimately exploiting them to improve electrochemical energy devices. Examples include electrochemical self‑induced convection, an effect we were involved in discovering, as well as creating positive feedback scenarios between electrocatalysis and ion spatial distributions.

You will be part of Iontronics, a recently created multidisciplinary group within the Leiden Institute of Physics and with close ties to the Leiden Institute of Chemistry. This research forms part of the Advanced Nano‑Electrochemistry Institute Of The Netherlands (ANION), a major program bringing together the expertise of the top researchers in the field nationwide.

• Design and fabricate micro‑ and nanofluidic structures using lithography. You will have access to both the local cleanroom at Leiden University and the national Nanolab facility at Delft University of Technology.
• Perform sensitive electrical measurements to probe electronic and ionic charge transport in these structures.
• Analyze and interpret your results, including quantitative simulations when required.

The Leiden Institute for Research in Physics (LION) is one of the oldest physics institutes in the Netherlands, with a diverse research portfolio and a collaborative environment that spans multiple disciplines.

• You have, or will shortly acquire, a master degree in physics, physical chemistry or closely related disciplines.
• You are an excellent experimentalist with an interest in microfabrication.
• You also have aptitudes for theory and modelling.
• You are enthusiastic and highly motivated.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.

• Full-time 1‑year term position for initially one year, extendable by a further three years after a positive evaluation.
• Starting salary of €3059.00 based on a full‑time appointment (38 hours); in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, pay scale P0.
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end‑of‑year bonus (8.3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP.
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs.
• Flexible working hours and a minimum of 29 leave days on a full‑time basis.
• Options for secondary employment conditions, such as salary adjustments for benefits, sabbatical or paid parental leave, hybrid working where possible, and a home‑working allowance.
• Provision of a laptop and a mobile telephone.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Serge Lemay, .

• In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
• You live and are officially registered as a resident in the Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
• A pre‑employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.

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PhD position on electrochemical nanofluidics for energy research