Postdoc Opportunity: Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation
- Joy Jiang
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead a flagship project on Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation. This role sits at the intersection of breakthrough fundamental science and industrial electrification, working jointly with the HJ Jiang Group (led by Dr. Haihui Joy Jiang; www.hjj-group.com) and the MMY Group (Prof. Thomas Maschmeyer, Prof. Tony Masters, and Dr. Alex Yuen; www.mmy-group.com.au).
Funded by the Australian Research Council (Discovery Project 2026-2028), this position focuses on "turning air and water into nitrogenous chemicals"— developing a sustainable, electrified alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. You will design hybrid catalyst systems (heterogeneous and homogeneous), engineer innovative electrochemical reactors, and pioneer radical reactions at the air-water interface to unlock high-voltage reaction pathways.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a Flagship Project: Drive the design, execution, and optimization of plasma-electrochemistry systems, including reactor engineering and catalyst structural characterization.
Advanced Mechanistic Study: Identify key reaction intermediates and establish rigorous structure-property correlations to understand catalytic pathways under high-voltage conditions.
Systems Analysis: Perform energy efficiency calculations and scaling analysis to bridge the gap between lab-scale discovery and industrial application.
Mentorship & Leadership: Assist in the supervision and career development of PhD and Honours students, fostering a collaborative laboratory culture.
Strategic Communication: Lead the preparation of high-impact manuscripts, grant applications, and international conference presentations.
Collaboration Management: Coordinate administrative and technical workflows between the Jiang and MMY groups and manage external academic collaborations.
About You
We are looking for a courageous and creative researcher who thrives on interdisciplinary challenges. The ideal candidate will possess:
A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
Deep Technical Expertise in electrocatalysis, materials characterization, and analytical chemistry (specifically chromatography and spectroscopy).
Specialized Experience in electrochemical nitrogen fixation, radical-driven pathways, or air-gap/plasma electrochemistry. Strong preference for candidates with experience in organometallic and/or inorganic synthesis.
Adaptability: A proven ability to master new, complex techniques such as high-voltage air-liquid interface reactions and plasma diagnostic tools.
Operational Excellence: Strong skills in operating and maintaining sophisticated scientific instrumentation and managing laboratory safety/organization.
Location: School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW, Australia
Full time, 2 years fixed term (with a possible extension to 3 years total)
Opportunity to drive a high-impact research program on using catalytic air-gap electrochemistry for nitrogen fixation
Base Salary (academic level A): $117,936– $125,896 + 17% superannuation
How to apply:
Please submit this google form and attach your CV for initial screening:
*no email nor platform enquiry please*
EOI closing date:
10 Feb 2026
International (non-Australian) candidates should submit their applications 3-6 months in advance. Australian (domestic) candidates are encouraged to apply >2 months in advance.
- Please make sure that you meet all requirements specified above before submission.
- If you pass initial screening, you will likely receive an email from me to request more info within 1-2 weeks after applying.
- If you don't hear back >1 month after applying, that means you did not pass initial screening. Due to the large volume of applications that we receive on a daily basis, please do not send any follow-up email nor platform enquiry, otherwise your email may be considered as spam and will be blocked by our server.
