We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

Work assignments 

The project focuses on electrocatalysis and electrolyzer system optimization for sustainable energy and chemical conversion. The research will involve reactions such as CO₂ conversion, water splitting, biomass-derived molecule upgrading, and other small-molecule transformations, with the aim of developing efficient, selective, and stable catalytic systems.

You will take a leading role in developing research activities that connect catalyst design, operando spectroscopic characterization, reaction mechanism investigation, and device-level performance optimization. The work may include catalyst synthesis, electrochemical testing, product analysis, operando spectroscopy, mechanistic studies, and optimization of electrolyzer configurations.

You are expected to conduct independent and collaborative research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, present results at international conferences, contribute to collaborations, and participate in the supervision of junior researchers. You may also contribute to the development of new experimental platforms and research directions within the group.

As postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Qualifications

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

We are looking for someone with a doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, or another relevant field. You should have a strong research background in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, materials chemistry, or a closely related area. The position requires good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, as well as the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research and publish scientific results.

We also think you have experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• CO₂ conversion, water splitting, biomass upgrading, nitrogen reduction, or related electrochemical reactions
• catalyst synthesis, materials characterization, interface science
• electrolyzer, reactor design, electrochemical system optimization
• operando spectroscopy, such as Raman, FTIR, XAS, or other related techniques

Documented experience in operando spectroscopy, advanced electrochemical measurements, electrolyzer or reaction-cell design, or mechanistic investigation of catalytic reactions is particularly meritorious. Experience in supervising students, developing independent research ideas, or working in international collaborations is also considered advantageous.

You are scientifically curious, creative, and self-motivated. You have good problem-solving skills, a careful and responsible approach to experimental work, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. You are expected to take initiative, contribute to the development of new research directions, and actively participate in the scientific activities of the research group.

The workplace

Your workplace will be the Lizhou Fan group at the Division of Materials Design, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology(IFM), Linköping University.

The Lizhou Fan group works on electrocatalysis, operando spectroscopy, and electrolyzer system optimization for sustainable energy conversion. The group focuses on understanding and optimizing electrocatalyst as well as catalytic systems for CO₂ conversion, water splitting, biomass upgrading, and other small-molecule transformations, with emphasis on linking catalytic mechanisms to practical performance. The group has active collaborations with leading international research groups in the field.

The Division of Materials Design carries out research, undergraduate and postgraduate education within materials physics and materials chemistry. The division combines theory and modelling, materials synthesis, characterization, and property testing, with a particular focus on materials for sustainable technologies. The division provides a stimulating interdisciplinary environment with strong expertise in materials theory, thin films and nanolaminated materials, and applied electrochemistry.

Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 12 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years.
The employment is full-time. Starting date by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The university applies individual salaries. State your desired salary in the application.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than 2 July, 2026. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 
 
Please attach your selected research publications electronically, in pdf or word format, in the application template. Research publications, e.g. monographs, which cannot be sent electronically should be sent in three sets by mail to the University Registrar at Linköping University, University Registrar, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. The publications must be received by Linköping University no later than the deadline for application. 

Please note that printed publications will not be returned. They will be archived at Linköping University. 
 
In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent.