Postdoctoral researcher on the optimization of in situ 5D ED in a liquid environment

Department: Department of Physics
Regime Full-time

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The EMAT research group at the Faculty of Science (University of Antwerp) is seeking to fill a postdoctoral researcher position on 5D ED data acquisition, analysis and use of in situ liquid and electrochemical TEM experiments, under the supervision of Professor Joke Hadermann. EMAT is one of the leading electron microscopy centers in the world and has a vast expertise in both fundamental and applied electron microscopy. EMAT has several state of the art electron microscopes including three aberration corrected, high end FEI-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, an environmental SEM,... EMAT is also a pioneer in in situ 3D ED studies, as will be important in this project. More about us at our webpage .

Position

This postdoc will be part of a team working overall on the implementation of 5D ED to solve and map the structures within multiphased particles during reactions and during changes in the environment.  Each team member's task is strongly intertwined with the tasks of the other team members.

You will develop and optimize pioneering in situ 3D ED and 5D ED experiments in a liquid environment. You will minimize the unwanted liquid-beam interactions via advanced scanning protocols and optimize the technique for the acquisition of valid and reliable 3D/5D ED data during the cycling of battery materials in liquid electrolyte.  You will optimize the route from data acquisition up to crystal structure solution and refinement for the specific case of multiphased particles in in situ 3D/5D ED in liquid environments. Once optimized, you will apply the technique to solve open questions on the structural transformations occurring in batteries during cycling.

The preferred starting date is 1 December 2025.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Physics or demonstrate equivalent competences gained through prior work experience.
• You have hands-on experience with in situ electrochemical TEM cells.
• You have experience in solving and refining structures using 3D ED.
• You have a solid knowledge of electrochemistry and experience with cycling and testing of Li- or Na-based batteries.
• You are familiar with issues like beam sensitivity, liquid thickness, and cell configuration.
• You enjoy working at the interface of instrumentation, analysis, crystallography and materials chemistry.
• Basic programming skills and a willingness to further develop those skills to automate your data processing and improve your own workflow efficiency are expected.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English are key assets.
• You are motivated to acquire new skills and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and collaboration.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .

What we offer

• A full-time appointment as a (postdoctoral) researcher for a period of 12 months, renewable after positive evaluation.
• Participation in an exciting European project at the forefront of transmission electron microscopy and materials science.
• A stimulating research environment at Campus Groenenborger, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and computing facilities (www.emat.uantwerpen.be ).
• Your gross monthly salary amount is calculated according to the pay scale  for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category 
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 15 July 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form.
• Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV (including followed courses, honours, previous work, programming skills, experience with hands-on in situ TEM, publications, internships,…)
  • contact info of 2 professional references
  • a weblink to a short video introducing yourself
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be . Questions about the scientific content of the position can be asked to Prof. Joke Hadermann, joke.hadermann@uantwerpen.be .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.