We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join LFIM in developing next-generation porous adsorbents for sustainable metal recovery and water purification. The project focuses on creating and optimizing MOFs, porous polymers, and hybrid materials, followed by in-depth evaluation of their behavior in complex aqueous systems.
The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in materials design, mechanistic studies, and performance assessment under application-relevant conditions. The position also offers opportunities for project leadership, collaboration, and mentoring of junior group members.
Candidate profile:
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PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
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Strong experience with organic synthesis, solvothermal/hydrothermal techniques, and/or MOF or porous polymer fabrication
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Proficiency in characterization methods such as XRD, XAS, NMR, IR, BET, PDF, and microscopy
- Solid publication record demonstrating expertise in porous materials or separation technologies
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Independent, creative, and well-organized researcher with strong leadership, excellent communication and collaborative skills
Applicants should send a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information to [email protected] (subject line: Postdoc_Application_liquid_LFIM).
Location: The position is located on the EnergyPolis Campus, EPFL-Valais in Sion, Switzerland.
2. Advanced Materials for CO₂ Capture
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join LFIM in developing cutting-edge materials for CO₂ capture. The project centers on the design and synthesis of porous materials, functional sorbents, and related systems engineered for efficient and selective CO₂ adsorption under realistic operating conditions.
The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role in materials development, mechanistic investigations of CO₂ adsorption, and performance evaluation across a range of environments. The position offers significant opportunities for scientific leadership, coordination of collaborative research activities, and mentoring of junior members in the group. Experience with CO₂ utilization or catalytic conversion pathways is considered an asset but is not required.
Candidate profile:
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Strong experience in materials synthesis, including porous materials, functional sorbents, or related systems
- Proficiency in characterization techniques such as XRD, XAS, NMR, IR, BET, PDF, and microscopy
- Demonstrated expertise in CO₂ capture, adsorption, or gas separation technologies
- Experience with CO₂ utilization or catalytic conversion is a plus
- Solid publication record in relevant areas
- Independent, creative researcher with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skill
Applicants should send a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information to [email protected] (subject line: Postdoc_Application_gas_LFIM).
Location: The position is located on the EnergyPolis Campus, EPFL-Valais in Sion, Switzerland.
Ph.D positions
1. Design of Novel Adsorbents for Sustainable Metal and Contaminant Recovery
The PhD project involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel porous materials, particularly metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous polymers, followed by evaluation of their adsorption performance for metal recovery and water purification. The research will explore structure–property relationships, adsorption mechanisms, and material stability under real-world operating conditions.
Candidate profile:
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering or a related field
- Experience in organic synthesis, hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, and materials characterization (NMR, IR, XAS, XRD, BET)
- Strong interest in porous adsorbents and separation processes
- Creativity, independence, and strong communication skills
Applicants should send a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information to [email protected] (subject line: PhD Application_liquid_LFIM).
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The preferred start date is April 2026.
Location: The position is located on the EnergyPolis Campus, EPFL-Valais in Sion, Switzerland.
2. Design of Novel Materials for CO2 Capture – 2 Openings
These PhD projects focus on developing advanced materials for CO2 capture, including porous adsorbents and functional sorbents designed for efficient and selective CO2 uptake under realistic conditions. The work will involve material synthesis, detailed characterization, and investigation of adsorption mechanisms and performance.
Candidate profile:
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering or a related field
- Experience in organic synthesis, hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, and materials characterization (NMR, IR, XAS, XRD, BET)
- Strong interest in CO2 Capture, adsorption process, or gas separations
- Highly motivated, creative, independent, and strong communication skills
Applicants should send a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information to [email protected] (subject line: PhD Application_gas_LFIM).
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The preferred start date is April 2026.
Location: The position is located on the EnergyPolis Campus, EPFL-Valais in Sion, Switzerland.
Master/Semester projects
Currently, we are actively providing master/semester projects for students. The following are currently available projects.
1. Development of Sorbents for Direct Air Capture of CO2
This project aims to develop novel solid sorbents for capturing CO₂ from ambient air. Work includes synthesis of porous materials, optimization of functionalization steps, and testing under realistic conditions. Selected materials will be evaluated for performance, stability, and scalability.
Candidates with a background in materials science, chemistry, or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply.
Please send your CV and transcript to Himan at [email protected]
2. Covalent Organic Frameworks for gold recovery from e-waste
This project aims to test novel COFs synthesized in-house for the recovery of gold from complex matrices, with a focus on e-waste recycling. You will synthesize and characterize the different selected materials and then assess their capacity, selectivity, stability, regenerability in the desired environment.
If interested, please contact Matthieu at [email protected] with a CV
3. Optimizing adsorbents materials for gas separations (for applications including CO2 capture and O2 production)
This project involves coating the MOF/zeolite material with hydrophobic polymers to prevent the water infusing into the materials. Different coatings will be screened through advanced characterizations and the best one will need to be identified/tested for the carbon capture/air separation application.
Candidates with a background in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Please submit your CV and transcript to Sanjay at [email protected]
4. Structuring of Adsorbent Materials for CO₂ Capture
This project focuses on developing and optimizing structured adsorbents, specifically pellets and beads, using lab-engineered materials such as MOFs and zeolites. We will explore and compare different structuring techniques to enhance CO₂ capture performance in post-combustion carbon capture systems.
Candidates with a background in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Please submit your CV and transcript to Sanjay at [email protected]
5. Water purification
If you are a Bachelor’s or Master’s student and are interested in gaining hands-on experience in water treatment research, we invite you to send your CV and a short request to Dr. Nazanin Taheri ([email protected]). The research focuses on performing adsorption experiments to remove heavy metals from water. Your role will involve assisting with lab-based experiments aimed at purifying water. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills
6. Scale-up and characterization of amine-grafted mesoporous silica for post-combustion CO2 capture: This project aims at designing, scaling-up and characterizing stable performing materials to be implemented in a pilot plant to capture CO2 on a kg/day scale. The project will include synthesis of the porous silica support, optimization of the flowthrough amine grafting step, and characterization of the CO2 capture performance of the produced materials.
Candidates with a background in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry or a related field are encouraged to apply. Please submit a detailed CV and transcript to Anne at [email protected]
Students who are interested in doing other projects that are not listed above are encouraged to send an email to Prof. Wendy Queen at [email protected], including a detailed CV along with a transcript (please have the “master/semester project” as the subject).
Location: The position is located on the EnergyPolis Campus, EPFL-Valais in Sion, Switzerland.