Vacancy number: 16563
Job type: PhD positions
Contract hours min: 38
Contract hours max: 38
Location: Leiden
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.
What you will do
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.
You will:
- 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. This will build on a history of innovative electrical measurements within the group.
- Analyze and interpret your results, including quantitative simulations when required. This will be aided by the broad expertise in electrochemistry at Leiden University and more generally within the ANION network.
Where you will work
The Leiden Institute for Research in Physics (LION) is one of the oldest physics institutes in the Netherlands, with more than 180 staff members and approximately 30 senior scientists. Our research spans a wide range of topics, from cosmology to quantum physics and from economic networks to the physics behind DNA. There is extensive collaboration with other disciplines both within and beyond the university, as well as with industry partners. Curiosity is what unites everyone within the institute. Together, we push the boundaries of knowledge, provide inspiring education, and connect science with society.
Research within the Faculty of Science covers disciplines ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. This research is carried out within eight institutes, which also offer eight bachelor's and fifteen master's programs. In recent years, the faculty has experienced significant growth and now has more than 2,300 staff members and approximately 5,700 students. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry come together. Working at our faculty means being part of a dynamic, international environment where both staff and students are driven by curiosity—not only to expand fundamental knowledge for the sake of science but also to contribute to solving the major societal challenges of tomorrow.
What you bring
In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:
- 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.
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
- We offer a full-time 1-year term position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
- A 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 for home-to-work travel;
- Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
- Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
- If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
- A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
What we value
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button. You will be asked to upload your cover letter and CV. Please do not upload reference letters at this time. Instead, provide the names and contact information of three references.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Serge Lemay, at [email protected]. You can apply until 28 June 2026; You will receive a response to your application no later than two weeks after the vacancy closing date.
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
- 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 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.
