PhD Position – Structure-activity relationships of methanation catalysts from X-ray scattering

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Germany Application Deadline 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Promotion

Your Job:

• Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts (Ni on Al2O3) and characterization involving e.g. TGA, IR, TEM, MS, BET
• Implementation of a reaction chamber for catalytic measurements into a laboratory PDF diffractometer, including the optimization of measurement protocols and combined mass spectrometry
• Experiments at synchrotron radiation facilities
• Analysis of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and pair distribution function (PDF) data for structure refinement and modelling of heterogeneous catalysts
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentation at conferences

Your Profile:

Required qualifications and skills:

• University degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in chemistry, materials science, geoscience, physics or related field
• Experience in laboratory work, e.g. synthesis and/or physicochemical characterization such as IR, BET, TGA
• Knowledge of X-ray scattering, possibly pair distribution function (PDF) analysis
• High motivation for further training, independent and goal-oriented way of working

A distinct advantage would be:

• Experience with data analysis and scientific programming (e.g. Origin, Igor Pro, Python, Matlab, Mathematica)
• A good command of written and spoken English
• You are interested in further academic qualifications (doctorate)

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! This project involves close collaboration with our esteemed cooperation partners at the RWTH Aachen University, i.e. the Institute of Crystallography and the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry as well as the Cluster of Excellence “The Integrated Fuel & Chemical Science Center”. We support you in your work with:

• Access to a strong research network at the FZJ, such as transmission electron microscopy at the Ernst-Ruska-Zentrum, the Julich Supercomputing Centre, the Neutron-SimLab or various physicochemical characterization methods and workshops
• Comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for personal and professional development
• Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life as well as a family-conscious company policy
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. partly remote work
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: go.fzj.de/Benefits

The employment of doctoral researchers at Jülich is governed by a doctoral contract, which usually has a term of three years. In this position the first year though will serve as orientation and probation period and will then possibly transition in the full duration of the PhD contract. Pay in line with 67% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund). In addition, an annual special payment is granted (“Christmas payment”), which amounts to 60 % of the monthly salary. Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download.

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.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

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