Electrocatalysis Postdoc in Slovenia: Green Hydrogen Research

Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) – Postdoctoral Fellowship in Electrocatalysis & Green Hydrogen (2025)

Driving the Future of Sustainable Energy Research in Europe

Are you driven to be at the forefront of clean energy innovation? Imagine launching your postdoctoral career in the heart of Europe, in a research environment committed to green hydrogen technologies. Slovenia, renowned for its quality of life and scientific advancement, presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the next phase of global energy transformation. This is not just another academic position—it’s an immersive collaboration with world-class experts in electrocatalysis.

About the Program

The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) supports high-impact postdoctoral projects through a nationally competitive funding program. In 2025, ARIS is backing a strategic postdoctoral research opening focused on electrocatalysis for green hydrogen production. Hosted by the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana, this opportunity fosters scientific partnerships and personalized research development.

Unlike conventional postdoc fellowships, this program emphasizes joint proposal development. You will work directly with your host to design and refine a custom research agenda that aligns with your expertise and broader clean energy goals.

Field of Research: Electrocatalysis for Green Hydrogen

This fellowship addresses a cornerstone issue in renewable energy: advancing

electrocatalytic materials to improve the efficiency and scalability of green hydrogen production via water electrolysis.

Key research areas include:

Design and synthesis of nanostructured electrocatalysts
Deep analysis of oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER)
Durability testing under industrially relevant conditions
Application of findings to next-generation electrolyzer systems

The project capitalizes on NIC’s extensive history in electrochemical research, surface science, and applied energy systems.

Application Deadline

Final Date for Application Submission: July 11, 2025

Early engagement is strongly encouraged. Successful applicants typically begin working with their host well before the submission deadline to ensure a robust proposal.

Host Supervisor: Dr. Nejc Hodnik

Dr. Nejc Hodnik is a renowned expert in electrocatalysis and energy conversion technologies. His research group at the National Institute of Chemistry explores:

Fundamental principles of heterogeneous catalysis
Operando spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy techniques
Bridging experimental results with practical implementation for energy infrastructure

Applicants will have the opportunity to collaborate intensively with Dr. Hodnik to define the research direction, structure the proposal, and plan the execution phases.

Contact Information: To initiate your application, email your CV and a concise motivation letter

to: [email protected]

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Possess a PhD degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline
Demonstrate a solid background in electrochemistry, catalysis, or materials characterization
Provide evidence of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or past research collaboration
Have obtained their PhD within the last four years from the time of application
Be ready to relocate to Slovenia and work full-time at the host institution for the fellowship duration

Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Make Initial Contact

Reach out to Dr. Nejc Hodnik with your updated curriculum vitae and a brief overview of your research interests and prior work relevant to electrocatalysis.

Step 2: Proposal Co-Creation

If your profile aligns with the host’s focus area, you will co-develop a full postdoctoral proposal together. This includes defining objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and project timelines.

Step 3: Submit to ARIS

Prepare and finalize your documents. The application, including the host confirmation letter and project proposal, must be submitted to ARIS by July 11, 2025. Submissions are accepted via the ARIS portal (accessible through the agency’s official site).

Why Choose Slovenia?

Slovenia combines scientific sophistication

with a vibrant, eco-conscious lifestyle. Here are several compelling reasons to consider this opportunity:

The National Institute of Chemistry is globally recognized for its pioneering work in clean energy, nanomaterials, and applied chemical research.
The capital city, Ljubljana, offers a green, safe, and affordable environment with access to European cultural and research networks.
As a member of the European Research Area (ERA), Slovenia ensures broad access to EU-wide research programs and funding initiatives.

Career Development Advantages

Joining this fellowship will position you for long-term success in academia and industry. Key benefits include:

Establishing a strong international research profile in hydrogen energy and catalysis
Gaining access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and scientific resources
Building a portfolio of high-impact publications and collaborative research outputs
Enhancing your eligibility for future grants (e.g., ERC, MSCA, Horizon Europe)
Expanding your professional network across the European and global research community
Applicants are encouraged to explore recent publications from the NIC team to inform and tailor their proposal themes.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Align your research proposal with Slovenia’s national priorities on sustainable energy and hydrogen economy development
Emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, such as integrating artificial intelligence in catalyst optimization

or coupling experimental work with modeling
Clearly articulate how this postdoc fits into your long-term career trajectory and collaborative vision

Quick Reference Table

Feature	Details
Position	Postdoctoral Fellow – Electrocatalysis & Green Hydrogen
Host	National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia
Supervisor	Dr. Nejc Hodnik
Deadline	July 11, 2025
Field	Electrocatalysis, Green Hydrogen, Water Electrolysis
Funding Body	Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS)
Duration	Approximately 2 years
Location	Ljubljana, Slovenia

Final Thoughts

This postdoctoral opportunity presents a unique intersection of research excellence, environmental impact, and career development. Slovenia’s positioning in the European scientific landscape, combined with ARIS funding and NIC’s laboratory resources, makes this fellowship a highly attractive path for ambitious researchers in sustainable energy science.

If you’re prepared to transform your research vision into practical impact, we encourage you to contact Dr. Nejc Hodnik, craft a compelling proposal, and take a decisive step into Europe’s green energy future.