PhD Position - Development of anodic catalysts for low Ir loading proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers

Your Job:

The electrocatalytic interface engineering department led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Thiele focuses on manufacturing, analysis and simulation of functional materials to find an optimum structure on small scales from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. The investigated materials and systems play an essential role in sustainable technologies like water- and CO2-electrolyzers, as well as in fuel cells. Your main responsibilities include:

• Synthesis and characterization of iridium-based catalyst particles for oxygen evolution reaction in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers
  
• Developing anode catalyst layers based on the novel synthesized catalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers
  
• Physical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of membrane electrode assemblies prior to, during, and after cell operation
  
• Participation in project meetings
  
• Coordination with internal and external project partners
  
• Publication and presentation of research results in relevant journals or at international conferences

Your Profile:

• Excellent master’s degree in Chemistry, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline
  
• Strong interest in pursuing research on electrochemical systems
  
• Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is desirable: electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, additive manufacturing (spray coating, doctor blade, slot-die coating), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  
• 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:

• Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure for conducting high-quality research
  
• Work with globally unique analytical measurement
  
• International, interdisciplinary work environment on an attractive campus (FAU South Campus), including many collaboration opportunities with partners at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, and international institutions
  
• Collaboration with world-leading industry partners
  
• Diverse options for work-life balance: a certain amount of time in the home office could be allowed
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/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“). The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed . Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

Place of employment: Erlangen

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.