Postdoc Research Group Freunberger: Singlet oxygen in electrocatalysis

The group of Stefan Freunberger (www.freunberger-lab.com) is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher interested working on a frontier topic of O2 electrocatalysis at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. OER and ORR are both fundamental to energy storage in life and technological solutions and therefore amongst the most studied reactions in chemistry. However, the vast majority of works has considered ground state triplet O2. However, reactions involving singlet oxygen may kinetically or thermodynamically be favoured but have received only little attention in research. Our group, together with others, has shaped the topic and knowledge of 1O2 in non-aqueous redox chemistry [1].[2],[3]. Critically, there is not a single experimental report on ORR involving 1O2 do date. The aim of the post is to close critical knowledge gaps on the involvement of 1O2 in electrocatalysis. The project is performed within the Austrian Science Fund funded Cluster of Excellence MESC (https://coe-mecs.at/).

We have previously established the now widely adopted methods for 1O2 detection in non-aqueous electrochemistry. We shall expand these methods and apply them to in-situ electrochemistry, complemented by a suite of in/ex-situ methods. To gain a deeper theoretical understanding, we will collaborate with groups specialized in quantum chemical calculations.

Your profile

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering or related field

• Commitment to research excellence with a proven relevant track record in leading journals

• Experience in physical chemistry, electrochemistry, and coupled spectroscopic, diffractive, and microscopic techniques

• Experience in electrocatalysis, ideally also O2 electrochemistry

• Experience in time resolved spectroscopy and quantum chemical methods is a strong plus

Application documents: Please send a single pdf document containing your cover letter, CV, publication list, and contact information of 2 to 3 references.

To submit your application please email: stefan.freunberger(at)ist.ac.at. Please use the position name above as your subject line.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy201736

[2] https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EE01453E

[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-021-00643-z