Postdoc Position in Photoredox Catalysis in Porous Materials

Are you a passionate researcher eager to explore the frontiers of photoredox catalysis and spectroscopy on cutting-edge materials? Join Dr. Bettina Baumgartner’s team at the University of Amsterdam to develop advanced spectroscopic tools and drive sustainable CO₂ and CH₄ conversions. This is your opportunity to make a real impact in green chemistry!

Help shape the future of green photochemistry
This fully funded 12-month postdoctoral position focuses on developing novel spectroscopic approaches and applying them to understand photoredox mechanisms in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for sustainable chemical conversions. The project is embedded in the of Dr. Bettina Baumgartner, which focuses on the combination of photoactive porous materials and in situ/operando spectroscopy.

This is what you will do
You will explore how ligand coordination and spatial confinement in metalloporphyrinic MOFs affect triplet excited states, energy/charge transfer, and photocatalytic activity in the conversion of CO₂ and CH₄. You will work at the intersection of spectroscopy, materials chemistry, and catalysis, with a strong emphasis on developing and applying advanced time-resolved and operando spectroscopic techniques.

You will become part of a collaborative and international team within the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), working alongside researchers in the fields of catalysis, materials chemistry, and spectroscopy. The group offers a supportive environment where you will have the opportunity to contribute your own ideas, supervise junior researchers, and develop your scientific profile.

Your work will involve a mix of experimental research, data analysis, discussions with team members, and preparation of scientific publications and presentations. If you are enthusiastic about applying spectroscopy to understand and improve photocatalytic materials, we encourage you to apply.

Your tasks will be:

• Developing and running time-resolved spectroscopic setups
• Investigating triplet state lifetimes, oxidation/spin states, and ligand effects in MOFs
• Correlating structure-function relationships between ligation, confinement, and photoefficiency
• Performing in situ/operando studies on photoredox reactions including CO₂ reduction and CH₄ oxidation
• Supporting MSc/PhD students in related activities.
• Presenting your results in scientific journals and at conferences.

This is what we ask of you
You have a strong background in organometallic chemistry, physical chemistry, or material chemistry, ideally with experience in photo(redox)chemistry and spectroscopy. Experience with (photo-) electrochemical characterization of MOFs or related porous materials will be an advantage.
Your experience and profile:

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, physics or a related field.
• Proven experience with time-resolved spectroscopy
• Background in organometallic chemistry or coordination chemistry.
• Experience with MOFs, photoredox catalysis, or porous materials is an advantage.
• Knowledge of EPR spectroscopy is considered a plus.
• Good communication skills in oral and written English.
• A proactive, independent, and collaborative mindset.

This is what we offer you
You’ll join a small and enthusiastic team, where collaboration and curiosity are central. We value open discussion and offer space to explore new ideas. You’ll have access to excellent lab facilities and be supported in developing your own research proposals. There are regular group activities, seminars, and opportunities to connect across research groups. Your growth and development are actively supported.

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38,00 hours per week for a period of 12 months. An extension maybe possible based on available funding combined with adequate performance. The preferred starting date is ultimately August 1, 2025.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 - € 5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

This is where you will work
You will join the research group of Dr. Bettina Baumgartner, a growing and enthusiastic team working at the intersection of photochemistry, porous materials, and advanced spectroscopy. Our mission is to understand how light interacts with materials at the molecular level to drive sustainable chemical reactions — and to use those insights to help shape greener chemical technologies.

The Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis Groups main research objective is the development of novel catalytic processes driven by our knowledge of the relationship between structure and performance of the catalyst. Research projects span from fundamental to applied catalysis, the latter in collaboration with industry and via spin-off companies. We are part of the UvA Research Priority area in “Sustainable Chemistry”.

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can respond via the red button up to and including May 1, 2025.
Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
• Your CV, including a list of publications
• Contact details of at least one academic reference (preferably your PhD supervisor)

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue recruiting until the position is filled. The first interviews will be scheduled from May 2025. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the internal candidate. If you receive an error message while applying from abroad, please try again later or contact us for assistance. For questions about the position, please contact:

• Dr. Bettina Baumgartner: b.baumgartner@uva.nl
• Subject: Postdoc Photoredox Catalysis Vacancy

38 hours per week

Science Park 904