European Microscopy Society (EMS)

Research Associate in Environmental Electron Microscopy

University of York, School of Physics Engineering & Technology York, United Kingdom

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate specialising in advanced environmental electron microscopy to join the team at the Jeol York Nanocentre, a world-leading facility specialising in environmental electron microscopy at atomic resolution. The post is part of the project ‘Uncovering a Catalyst in action at the Atomic Level (U-CAL): a shortcut to net-zero technologies’ an EPSRC International Centre-to-Centre Collaboration Network that includes Universities of York, Nottingham and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf Dresden, Germany. This role will be based at the York Jeol Nanocenter.

This project aims to visualise active sites in functioning catalysts under real reaction conditions and in real time. The successful candidate will contribute to a broad range of experimental investigations, modelling, and data analysis. This includes operando atomic-scale imaging and local probe spectroscopy of heterogeneous catalysts in action. The overarching goal is to understand how electron dose, substrate support, and other external stimuli influence the atomic structure of nano catalysts, ultimately determining their efficiency. Examples of reactions to be studied include, but not limited to, high-efficiency catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation and ammonia synthesis. This role offers an initial 24-month appointment with the possibility of up to an additional 24-month extension. You will work with advanced instrumentation and develop workflows for image processing and object tracking to reveal the structure of reactive intermediates. You will also collaborate closely with national and international partners.