PhD Position - Filming nanocatalysts for renewable energies

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:

PHD Thesis

Your Job:

At the Electrocatalysis department of Prof. Karl Mayrhofer, we offer a PhD position within the team Nanoanalysis of Electrochemical Processes. Lead by Dr. Andreas Hutzler, the team is investigating degradation mechanisms within the framework of green energy conversion and climate change. The open position aims to understand catalyst stability at the nanoscale during electrochemical processes via operando liquid‑phase transmission electron microscopy (LP‑TEM). Your tasks:

• Self‑motivated and independent planning, execution, and analysis of research in the scope of operando electrocatalysis using LP‑TEM
• Execution of TEM analyses as part of our TEM facility at HI ERN
• Presentation of scientific results at national and international conferences as well as publication in peer‑reviewed journals

Your Profile:

• An excellent master’s degree with strong background in nano science, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics or related
• Experience with modeling of reaction kinetics, catalysis studies – in particular electrocatalysis and Python programming
• Experience within the following fields is highly beneficial: Transmission electron microscopy, Electrochemistry, Image analysis, Big data handling
• Strong self‑initiative and willingness to learn and to quickly gain an understanding of new subject areas
• Joy in working independently, as well as within a team
• Strong problem‑solving skills
• Fluency in English (written and oral)

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
• Working with globally unique analytical measurement methods
• International, interdisciplinary working environment on an attractive campus (FAU Südgelände) including many cooperation opportunities with partners from the Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑
• The opportunity to pursue your PhD in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering at Friedrich‑Alexander‑University Erlangen‑Nürnberg, one of the most innovative universities world‑wide
• A highly supportive and dynamic team spirit at HI ERN – we highlight a strong can‑do attitude
• Access to the graduate schools of FAU and FZJ with many continuing education opportunities
• A wide range of options for balancing work and family life
• Possibility of mobile working
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)

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 euro can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt. Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at

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.
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.