3 PhD positions (m/f/d) | Sustainable Metallurgy (Experiment & Simulation)

Project 1: "Optimizing microwave plasma-based reduction of metal oxides"

Under the supervision of Prof. von Keudell, Chair for Experimental Physics – Reactive Plasmas at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruhr University Bochum.

Project 2: "In situ studies of the mechanochemical synthesis of intermetallic compounds"

Under the supervision of Prof. Weidenthaler, Powder Diffraction and Surface Spectroscopy group at the Max‑Planck‑Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim/Ruhr.

Project 3: "Atomistic Investigation of Chemomechanical Processes in the Fe–O System"

Under the supervision of Prof. Bitzek, Microstructure and Mechanics group at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Düsseldorf.

What we do

Discover with us the world of sustainable materials in our three‑year doctoral program, conducted entirely in English. Become part of an international community of scientists in Germany’s vibrant Rhine‑Ruhr metropolitan region. This unique program offers an intensive interdisciplinary approach, with a special focus on sustainable metallurgy – a field that has shaped human civilization by providing crucial materials for mobility, infrastructure, energy, and medicine.

As we face the challenge of making metallurgy more sustainable, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions during synthesis, enhance the durability of materials, and improve recycling processes. Be part of this change and explore cutting‑edge methods in chemical, mechanical, and plasma processing of metal ores for a truly circular economy.

Correlating experimental, ab initio, and multi‑scale simulations, as well as machine learning techniques, is central to our mission:

• Development and application of advanced simulation techniques to explore and identify the fundamental structures and mechanisms occurring in these materials and their synthesis over all relevant length scales (e.g., cutting‑edge ab initio methods, atomistic simulation methods, multi‑scale modelling, machine learning).
• High‑resolution analysis, monitoring of chemistry, structure, and transformations at the atomic scale of buried interfaces and defects by correlated experimental techniques in both space and time (e.g., correlated APT, TEM, FIM, EBIC, EBSD, XPS, Kelvin probe microscopy, machine learning‑augmented analysis techniques).
• Experimental and computational analysis of transport and the reaction of surfaces and particles with reducing and oxidizing gas‑phase species (e.g., laser‑based imaging diagnostics, setup of model reactors, modelling of underlying reactions, multi‑scale simulation of reactive fluids, computational fluid dynamics).

What we offer

• Cutting‑edge research in a dynamic work environment.
• Well‑structured curriculum and close supervision of the PhD projects, including regular status meetings.
• An international and open‑minded community with outstanding opportunities for collaboration.
• At the Max Planck Institutes: TVöD 13 65%, about 40.000€ gross per year. At the Ruhr University Bochum: scholarship of 2.050€ net per month.

Our profile

• Project 1: Excellent master’s degree in physics, experience in plasma research.
• Project 2: Excellent master’s degree in materials science, chemistry, or solid‑state physics. Knowledge in solid‑state chemistry, X‑ray diffraction, spectroscopy, or electron microscopy is advantageous.
• Project 3: Excellent master’s degree in materials science, physics, or chemistry. Experience with atomistic simulations in a high‑performance computing environment, solid knowledge of crystallography, and defects preferred.
• Very good English knowledge.

Required documents

• Motivation letter.
• CV.
• Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts of records.
• Certificate of very good English knowledge (IELTS, TOEFL, or similar).
• Recommendation letters or references.

Application deadline

15.5.2026

Starting date

or individually later.

Application portal

Please apply via our portal. We do not accept applications via post or e‑mail.

Additional notes

We are committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourage them to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Contact

Elke Lorenz