PhD student (m/f/x): Combinatorial synthesis and high-throughput characterization of thin film high

PhD student (m/f/x): Combinatorial synthesis and high-throughput characterization of thin film high

Beginn

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1

PhD student (m/f/x): Combinatorial synthesis and high-throughput characterization of thin film high entropy materials for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR)

Are you interested in working in the rapidly evolving research field of high entropy materials for electrocatalysis? As part of the international ERC Synergy project DEMI (Directed Evolution of Metastable Electrocatalyst Interfaces for Energy Conversion), a position for a PhD student (m/f/x) is available as soon as possible. Besides RUB, University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Helmholtz Institute Erlangen Nuremberg and University of Bern (Switzerland) are involved in DEMI. This team works together intensively to make progress in electrocatalysis for the energy systems of the future. At DEMI, new high-entropy alloys are calculated in Copenhagen. The Bochum team produces thin-film materials libraries and uses high-throughput methods for characterization. The partners in Erlangen and Bern carry out experimental electrochemistry.

High entropy materials are systematically produced in large compositional spaces by combinatorial sputtering and the chemical composition, crystal and microstructure as well as the electrochemical properties are investigated by high-throughput methods. This screening is accelerated by artificial intelligence methods, e.g. "active learning", in order to discover new, active and stable materials for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The future PhD student (m/f/x) is expected to work independently with high motivation, be able to collaborate in international teams in a goal-oriented manner, efficiently translate results into scientific publications, has very good scientific, technical and communication skills, be fluent in written and spoken English.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 Jahre
Start: at the earliest possible date
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Responsibilities

• Synthesis of thin film materials libraries using combinatorial sputtering (focus on materials for CO2RR)
• High-throughput characterization of thin film materials libraries (EDX, XRD, XPS, …)
• Electrochemical screening of thin film materials libraries (e.g. Scanning droplet cell, Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy)
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with international teams (e.g. Copenhagen, Erlangen, Bern)
• Publication of results

Your profile:

• Completed Master’s degree with very good results with focus on materials science or a related field (mechanical engineering, physics – materials focus, materials science, materials chemistry, or equivalent).
• Practical experience in the synthesis of thin films, using sputtering
• Practical experience in the field of characterization of thin films, e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, SPM
• Experience in the field of electrochemistry is desirable
• Experience in the field of high-throughput experimentation and data science is desirable