The successful candidate will be part of the Electrocatalysis research department (https://www.hi-ern.de/hi-ern/Electrocatalysis), which research area is an investigation of fundamental aspects of the electrolyte-electrode interface during applied processes of reversible interconversion of electrical and chemical energy. The department’s scientific interests are aimed on the development of an efficient methodology for the electrochemical transformation of readily available feedstock to value-added products. Organic electrosynthesis, as nowadays proven powerful tool for preparation of substances of desired composition, has been recently added to the profile of scientific interests of the department. Commonly used offline analytical methods are found to be insufficient in the testing of variety of catalytic materials, therefore in the department of Electrocatalysis, a unique platform for online (real-time) analysis of electrochemical processes is developed, providing a powerful analytical support for the conducted research.
Your tasks in detail:
- Design, synthesis, and characterization of catalytic materials
- Utilization of the obtained materials as electrocatalysts
- Validation of online and offline analytical methods
- Analysis of the activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalysts
- Writing papers and presenting the results in conferences
- Representation of the institute in project meetings
- Collaboration with partners within HI ERN and outside
Your Profile:
- Excellent master’s degree in Chemistry, Material science, Chemical engineering, or a comparable discipline
- Experience in material science, organic chemistry and desirable knowledge of basic electrochemical methods
- Exceptional organizational skills, ability to show initiative and work independently
- Outstanding cooperation and communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent skills in spoken and written English
- Strong motivation for pursuing a PhD within three years in a multidisciplinary project related to the investigation of electrode-electrolyte interfaces
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:
- International, interdisciplinary working environment on an attractive campus (FAU Südgelände) including many opportunities for cooperation with partners from the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and from abroad
- Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
- Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
- Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisor
- 30 days of annual leave
- Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
- Extensive company health management
- Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
- Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work
The position is initially 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“).
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.