PhD Position - Electrochemical Engineering

Your Job:

You will work in the Electrocatalytic Interface Engineering department, which is headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Thiele. The department focuses on the fabrication, analysis and simulation of functional materials to find an optimal structure on a small scale from the micrometer to the nanometer. The materials and systems examined play an essential role in sustainable technologies such as water and CO2 electrolyzers as well as in fuel cells. The aim is to make a significant contribution to the development of electrochemical energy conversion as a future key player in electromobility and energy policy in general. You will work as a research scientist and engineer to develop novel technologies in the area of electrochemical energy storage and conversion using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC), for example with the isopropanol/acetone couple. Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Design and evaluation of new LOHC system concepts and configurations, for example using ionic liquids
  
• Design and manufacturing of membrane-electrode-assembly components and investigation of their performance and durability with electrochemical characterization techniques
  
• Product analysis and analytical chemistry; investigation of side reactions
  
• System process analysis and control – humidity, temperature, pressure drops, voltage drops
  
• Supervision of university students
  
• Participation in project meetings
  
• Coordination with internal and external partners
  
• Publication and presentation of research results in relevant journals or at international conferences

Your Profile:

• Excellent master’s degree in Chemistry or a closely related field
  
• Strong interest in pursuing research in electrochemistry
  
• Previous experience with fuel cells, electrolyzers or redox flow batteries is a plus
  
• High motivation for pursuing a PhD within 3 years
  
• Excellent organizational skills
  
• Ability to show initiative and work independently
  
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
  
• Excellent skills in spoken and written English

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A lively scientific environment within the institute and possibilities for cooperation with excellent partners at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and abroad
  
• Interaction and cooperation with world-leading industrial partners
  
• Excellent environment to perform sound, high-quality research
  
• Work with worldwide-unique electrochemical characterization techniques
  
• Excellent training in electrochemistry
  
• Manifold support options for combining career and family
  
• 30 days of annual leave (depending on agreed working time arrangements) and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Opportunity to develop your strengths, e.g. through a comprehensive training programme; a structured programme including continuing professional development and networking opportunities specifically designed for Jülich’s doctoral researchers by the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors (JuDocS): https://go.fzj.de/JuDocs
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75 % of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/phd . All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download.

Place of employment: Nuremberg

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.