项目介绍

2026年9月6日

We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

Work assignments 

The project focuses on electro-enzyme coupled catalysis and reactor system optimization for sustainable energy and chemical conversion. The research will explore the integration of electrochemical processes with enzymatic catalysis for the selective and sustainable synthesis of value-added chemicals, including the conversion and upgrading of CO₂, biomass-derived molecules, and other small-molecule substrates. Particular emphasis will be placed on efficient coupling between electrocatalytic and enzymatic reaction processes.

You will take a leading role in developing research activities that connect electrocatalyst and biocatalyst design, electrochemical and enzymatic reaction engineering, mechanistic investigation, and reactor-level performance optimization. The work may include electrocatalyst and enzyme immobilization, electrochemical cofactor regeneration, enzyme-electrode interface engineering, electrochemical and enzymatic testing, product analysis, spectroscopic characterization, mechanistic studies, and optimization of electrochemical reactor and electrolyzer configurations. The research will aim to establish efficient electron and mass transfer pathways and improve the activity, selectivity, stability, and scalability of electro-enzyme coupled catalysis systems.

You are expected to conduct independent and collaborative research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, present results at international conferences, contribute to collaborations, and participate in the supervision of junior researchers. You may also contribute to the development of new experimental platforms and research directions within the group.

As postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Qualifications

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

We are looking for someone with a doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or another relevant field. You should have a strong research background in electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, biocatalysis, bio-electrocatalysis, materials chemistry, or a closely related area. The position requires good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, as well as the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research and publish scientific results.

We also think you have experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Bio-electrocatalysis, CO₂ conversion, biomass upgrading, nitrogen reduction, or related electrochemical and enzymatic transformations reactions
• catalyst synthesis, materials characterization, interface science
• electrolyzer, electro-enzyme coupled reactor design, electrochemical system optimization
• electrochemical and enzymatic reaction mechanism investigation, as well as operando spectroscopy, such as Raman, FTIR, XAS, or other related techniques

Documented experience in operando spectroscopy, advanced electrochemical measurements, enzyme-electrode interface engineering, electrolyzer or reaction-cell design, or mechanistic investigation of catalytic and biocatalytic reactions is particularly meritorious. Experience in supervising students, developing independent research ideas, or working in international collaborations is also considered advantageous.

You are scientifically curious, creative, and self-motivated. You have good problem-solving skills, a careful and responsible approach to experimental work, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. You are expected to take initiative, contribute to the development of new research directions, and actively participate in the scientific activities of the research group.

The workplace

Your workplace will be the Lizhou Fan group at the Division of Materials Design, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University.

The Lizhou Fan group works on electrocatalysis, operando spectroscopy, and electrolyzer system optimization for sustainable energy conversion. The group focuses on understanding and optimizing electrocatalyst as well as catalytic systems for CO₂ conversion, water splitting, biomass upgrading, and other small-molecule transformations, with emphasis on linking catalytic mechanisms to practical performance. The group has active collaborations with leading international research groups in the field.

The Division of Materials Design carries out research, undergraduate and postgraduate education within materials physics and materials chemistry. The division combines theory and modelling, materials synthesis, characterization, and property testing, with a particular focus on materials for sustainable technologies. The division provides a stimulating interdisciplinary environment with strong expertise in materials theory, thin films and nanolaminated materials, and applied electrochemistry.

Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 12 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years. The employment is full-time.

Starting date by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

At Linköping University, salaries are set individually and differentiated, in accordance with the applicable collective agreements (RALS/RALS-T) and the university’s salary-setting guidelines.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than 24 September 2026. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 
 
Please attach your selected research publications electronically, in pdf or word format, in the application template. Research publications, e.g. monographs, which cannot be sent electronically should be sent in three sets by mail to the University Registrar at Linköping University, University Registrar, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. The publications must be received by Linköping University no later than the deadline for application. 

Please note that printed publications will not be returned. They will be archived at Linköping University. 
 
In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent. 

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives – diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody’s equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping university has framework agreements and wishes to decline direct contacts from staffing- and recruitment companies as well as vendors of job advertisements.

Contact persons

Lizhou Fan

Assistant Professor

+46 738719262

lizhou.fan@liu.se