The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) performs leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure. We work in close partnership with (inter)national academia and industry. Our user facilities are open to industry and university researchers. As an institute of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) DIFFER plays a key role in fundamental research for the energy transition.
We use a multidisciplinary approach applicable on two key areas, solar fuels for the conversion and storage of renewable energy and nuclear fusion – as a clean source of energy.
DIFFER is looking for a Group Leader in Automated Materials Synthesis and Characterization
The new group will capitalize on DIFFER’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including high-end materials synthesis facilities such as the VSParticle Nanoparticle Printer (VSP) and Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), as well as comprehensive material characterization tools (XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, XPS, etc.), to accelerate the discovery and optimization of materials for sustainable energy applications, essentially including electro-, thermo-, or plasma-driven energy carrier conversion.
The successful candidate will establish an internationally recognized research group dedicated to automated materials synthesis and characterization for sustainable energy. You will develop and lead a high-impact experimental program that exploits and expands DIFFER’s research facilities for rapid material fabrication and analysis. The Group Leader is expected to collaborate with colleagues to ensure that insights from data-driven techniques and lab automation are successfully implemented in optimization of experimental workflows for materials synthesis and characterization. These collaborative efforts will increase DIFFER’s capability to discover advanced materials for energy, aligning with our institute’s strategy.
We seek an exceptional experimental scientist with deep expertise in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of energy materials. The ideal candidate has a strong background in areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, thin films, or other advanced materials, with extensive experience in high-throughput or combinatorial experimentation and advanced materials characterization techniques.
Responsibilities:
- Lead an innovative research program in automated materials synthesis and characterization, developing new methodologies to rapidly create and evaluate materials for energy applications.
- Exploit and further develop DIFFER's materials synthesis platforms (VSP and PLD) to enable high-throughput screening and optimization of catalysts, electrodes, and other energy materials.
- Use advanced characterization methodologies (XRD, SEM, TEM, XRF, XPS, etc.) and contribute to the design of new characterization workflows to achieve a comprehensive understanding of material structure–performance relationships.
- Apply insights from AI-driven discovery strategies developed by colleagues to design experiments and enhance the efficiency of the materials discovery process.
- Collaborate closely with lab automation scientists and engineers to integrate experimental results from synthesis and characterization techniques with real-time data analysis and adaptive planning, all within the self-driving lab framework.
- Secure external research funding through competitive grants and industrial partnerships to expand the capabilities and impact of the group’s research.
- Supervise PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and engineers, promoting scientific excellence and career development.
- Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.
We seek an exceptional experimental scientist with deep expertise in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of energy materials. The ideal candidate has a strong background in areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, thin films, or other advanced materials, with extensive experience in high-throughput or combinatorial experimentation and advanced materials characterization techniques.
Position and requirements
Requirements:
- PhD in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a closely related discipline, with a primary focus on materials synthesis and characterization for energy applications.
- Extensive hands-on experience with advanced synthesis techniques (e.g. nanoparticle synthesis, thin-film deposition, combinatorial methods) and state-of-the-art characterization tools for materials.
- Familiarity with high-throughput experimental design, automation technologies, and data-driven laboratory approaches.
- A distinguished research record demonstrated by high-impact publications, patents, and/or significant contributions to the field of energy materials.
- Proven ability to attract and manage competitive research funding, and to build collaborative projects with academic and/or industrial partners.
- Strong leadership, project management, and collaborative skills.
- Excellent proficiency in English.
At DIFFER, we value scientific passion, collaboration, inclusivity, and leadership. Candidates are expected to uphold professionalism, openness, and respect, contributing to a positive and productive research environment. We offer world-class research facilities, along with extensive opportunities for professional development, and a collaborative environment for groundbreaking research.
Terms and conditions
We offer a permanent, full-time position (1.0 FTE) with a competitive gross salary starting in scale 13 (€6,299–€7,672 monthly) and the possibility of progression to scale 14 (€6,613–€8,424) after two years upon positive performance. You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, and benefit from excellent secondary employment conditions including generous leave entitlements, a solid pension scheme, and partially paid parental leave.
The position will be based at DIFFER (www.differ.nl) and the working location will be at TU Eindhoven. When fulfilling a position at DIFFER, you will have an employee status at NWO. You can participate in all the employee benefits NWO offers. We have a number of regulations that support employees in finding a good work-life balance. At DIFFER we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to apply. More information on working at NWO can be found at the NWO website (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/)
Information and application
For further information about the position, please contact:
Süleyman Er, Head of the Chemical Energy Department, [email protected]
For questions about the application process, contact:
Nicolette Ketelaar, Head of HRM, [email protected]
To apply, please submit your application via the DIFFER online portal. Include the following documents:
- A cover letter detailing your motivation for applying and your fit for the role.
- A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the contact details of three references..
- A brief research plan (max. 3 pages) outlining your vision for your research group at DIFFER.
Only complete applications submitted through the portal will be considered (applications via email will not be accepted).
The closing date for applications is May 31, 2025.
Closing date
May 31, 2025
