Postdoktorand (m/w/d) in mechanistischer Grenzflächenwissenschaft für lithiumbasierte elektrochemische Ammoniaksynthese

Job Description

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community's diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

At the Department of Applied Physics, our pioneering research in physical sciences creates important industrial applications that hold great technological potential. Our research focuses on Materials physics, Quantum technology, Soft & living matter, and Advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. We educate future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

Are you excited about mechanistic electrochemistry and state-of-the-art operando/cryogenic characterization of reactive interfaces?

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to lead the development of an advanced and correlative characterization workflow for lithium deposition and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) analysis in lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction reaction (LiNRR) systems for green ammonia synthesis at Aalto University's Department of Applied Physics. In this position, you will have a chance to make an impact by establishing reliable, multimodal methods that connect interphase chemistry and morphology to electrochemical performance, stability, and degradation mechanisms. Join us in shaping the future of advanced electrochemical interface science!

LiNRR is a highly dynamic electrochemical process where Li plating/stripping, SEI formation, electrolyte/proton-source reactions. These co-evolve and directly influence ammonia formation and energy efficiency. This position targets the core bottleneck: turning complex, sensitive interphases into measurable, interpretable mechanisms through operando and in-situ observation and correlative analysis. Alternative mediated systems other than lithium will also be investigated. Your work will also build transferable capability for other lithium and battery-relevant interfacial processes.

This postdoctoral position is funded through a recent M-Era.Net project "Ammonia Production via Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen" and the project partners also includes SINTEF, Solvenian National Institute of Chemistry, as well as industrial partners - NitroVolt and NanoScientifica.

Your role and goals

• Build a correlative characterization and analysis workflow for Li deposition and SEI evolution, integrating structural and chemical information at various length- and timescales.
• Perform operando and post-mortem characterization to obtain mechanistic understanding of Li deposition and SEI evolution. A toolkit of morphological, strucutral and chemical analysis techniques will be used, including: cryo-FIB/SEM, cryo-TEM, in-situ and liquid-cell TEM, EC-AFM, XCT, SAXS, XAS, XRS, XPS, etc.
• Correlate materials characterization results with electrochemical kinetics analysis and computational insights for mechanistic interpretation of LiNRR and beyond-Li NRR.
• Collaborate with the project partners and support their research activities in this project
• Support other electrochemical studies (e.g., batteries) within the group

Your network and team

Aalto University established a characterization platform for visualization and analysis of the SEI layer by integrating advanced ex situ and in situ/operando characterization techniques to unveil interfacial reactions and visualize lithium metal deposition and SEI evolution

You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment within the Advanced Energy Solutions area of Aalto University. You will collaborate closely with a team focusing on SEI engineering, as well as colleagues working on Batteries. Part of the characterizations will be performed at the Nanomicroscopy center (e.g., for cryo-FIB/STEM and operando TEM). Supervision will be provided by Prof. Yaolin Xu, team leader of EMI (Energy Materials & Interfaces). And you will have the opportunity to interact with world-class experts in electrochemistry, materials science, and microscopy.

• Daily collaboration with the local electrochemistry and characterization team at Aalto University.
• Access to facility experts and infrastructure in microscopy and spectroscopy to support robust sample preparation, transfer, measurement, and analysis.
• Opportunity to collaborate with international research teams
• The person selected for the position will report to Prof. Yaolin Xu Head of Energy Materials & Interfaces (EMI) Group.

Your experience and ambitions

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a PhD in physics, materials science, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
• Experienced in electrochemical ammonia synthesis, preferrably LiNRR
• Strong background in electrochemical interfaces and/or advanced materials characterization
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following:
  • In situ/operando spectroscopy (incl. operando FTIR, Raman, and X-ray spectroscopy)
  • AFM and/or 3D imaging (e.g., XCT)
  • Cryo-FIB/SEM and cryo-STEM & liquid-cell TEM
• Experienced in glovebox workflows and controlled sample transfer
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment
• EN: Fluency in English is required (spoken and written).
• FI: Finnish language is not required; proficiency is considered an advantage.

This position offers a rare combination of electrochemistry, operando and in-situ characterization, and correlative mechanism-driven analysis for green ammonia via LiNRR. You will help build a platform capability that enables reliable, interpretable insight into one of the most challenging interface problems in electrochemistry, with strong links to both battery-relevant science and industrial translation.

What we offer

• A meaningful and inspiring research environment in a university ranked among the world's best in sustainability and materials science
• Access to world-class research infrastructure in the EMI group and at Aalto's Nanomicroscopy Center, including state-of-the-art EC-AFM, analytical STEM, cryo-EM, liquid cell TEM, SAXS, etc.
• The chance to collaborate with experts across electrochemistry, nanomaterials, and advanced energy solutions
• Support for professional development, including training, international conferences, and career coaching
• A vibrant, international campus community in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, consistently ranked as one of the happiest and safest places to live worldwide

The position is full-time and funded for two years. The salary range for this position is approximately 4130-4550 ???/month, depending on experience, and includes occupational healthcare.

Our vast array of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn, having the chance to participate actively in staff trainings and development projects based on your interests and needs. We value work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life. We work in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace located at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland. Life on the revitalized campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services, all complemented by excellent public transportation connections.

Join us!

To apply, please share your CV and motivation letter as one single PDF document in English with us through our recruitment site ("Apply now!") latest at 23.59pm (EEST/UTC +3) April 17th, 2026.

Please note: Aalto University's employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions.

Please note the position shall be filled as soon as possible. We will only consider candidates who can start working on this project immediately. Also, we will review applications and invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. You will hear from us the latest one week after the application deadline.

For more information about the role, please contact professor Yaolin Xu, [email protected].