Postdoctoral researcher Birk Fritsch selected for YESP excellence funding program
19 June 2024 - HI ERN postdoc Birk Fritsch secured a place in Forschungszentrum Jülich's Young Excellent Scientist Program (YESP) alongside four other young researchers.
In the course of the two-stage selection process, the five young researchers prevailed over 35 other candidates, nine of whom were invited to Jülich for an interview at the beginning of March 2024. At the end of the interview rounds, the panel, consisting of Prof. Astrid Lambrecht (Chair of the Board of Directors) and other senior researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich, made a recommendation. The full Board of Directors followed the panel's recommendation and the five candidates were selected for the funding program.
Birk Fritsch is involved in correlative operando studies on degradation mechanisms in electrocatalysis. His research aims to increase the durability of electrochemical components such as electrolyzers or fuel cells and thus reduce the costs of the energy transition. He studied nanoscience at the University of Kassel and completed his doctorate at the Faculty of Engineering at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Since November 2022, Birk Fritsch has been conducting research in Prof. Karl Mayrhofer's "Electrocatalysis" department at HI ERN.
Funding over the next three years
The selected scientists will receive individual support modules from the research center over the coming months. These include, for example, funding to hold their own symposium, comprehensive support in creating their own website and the opportunity to present themselves and their research in the "Wissenschaft online +" format. Candidates also benefit from advice on funding options, mobility programs and leadership skills.
About the funding program
Last November, the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich announced the Young Excellent Scientist Program (YESP) for the first time. The program is aimed at up-and-coming young scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich who aspire to a leading position in science.
Contact
Dr.-Ing. Birk Fritsch
Postdoctoral Researcher
Room 4009