Job Description

Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungs­zentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 6,400 employees in one of Europe’s biggest research centres and help us to shape change!

Would you like to contribute to the energy transition in Germany through your work? Then the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN) is the right place for you! The HI ERN forms the core of the close partnership between Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy, and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) at the Erlangen site. The collaboration relates to the areas of innovative materials and processes for photovoltaic energy systems and hydrogen as a storage and carrier medium for CO2-neutral energy. Support us researching and developing solutions for the climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies.

The successful candidate will be part of the Electrochemical Energy Conversion Team led by Dr. Serhiy Cherevko as part of the Electrocatalysis Research Unit of HI ERN. Our aim is to significantly contribute to the development of electrochemical energy conversion as a future key player for electromobility and the energy policy in general. Further information can be found here.

We are looking to recruit a

Postdoc – Electrocatalysis / Water Electrolysis


Your Job:

Electrochemical measurements of activity and stability of different oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts and support materials using our unique experimental methods
Optimization and further development of the experimental setups to test electrocatalysts at conditions approaching real ones
Preparation, investigation and optimization of catalyst layers based on novel catalysts, supports and ionomers
Catalysts and catalyst layers characterization, including identical location microscopy
Analysis and communication of the obtained experimental data
Close collaboration with partners within HI ERN, FAU and outside, including industrial partners
Writing papers and presenting the results at conferences Writing progress reports
Representing of the subinstitute at internal and external project meetings
Active participation in the training, mentoring and supervision of students

This position is related to our activities within a collaborative research project (including partners from industry and academia) on the development of advanced membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane water electrolysers. Our part in this multidisciplinary research project is to further develop the existing experimental tools for catalyst and catalyst layer characterization, perform electrochemical and dissolution measurements on catalysts and supports, and provide new mechanistic insights in activity and degradation of advanced supported catalysts. A recent publication related to this project can be found at the following link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-018-0085-6.


Your Profile:

Excellent university degree (master) in Chemistry, Physics, Surface Science or related disciplines and a completed PhD
Very good knowledge of fundamental electrochemistry
Previous experience in preparation of membrane electrode assemblies for water electrolysers and/or fuel cells and in performing cell tests
Previous experience in characterization of catalysts and/or catalysts layers using physico-chemical characterization tools, especially TEM, is desired
Experience or strong interest in the development of novel experimental tools
Strong interest in pursuing research in a multidisciplinary project related to generation of green hydrogen using water electrolysis
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to show initiative and work independently
Excellent cooperation and communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
Excellent skills in spoken and written English


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 support you in your work with:

A lively scientific environment within the institute and possibilities for cooperation with excellent partners at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and abroad
Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours, and 30 days of annual leave

The position is initially for a fixed term of 2 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD). Depending on the applicant’ qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks, salary grade EG 13 TVöD-Bund.

Place of employment: Erlangen

Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations. We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

We look forward to receiving your application until 10.01.2021 via our Online Recruitment System: https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2020-413-EN-IEK-11.html?nn=363488.

Questions about the vacancy?

Get in touch with us by using our contact form: https://www.fz-juelich.de/portal/EN/Careers/JobKontakt/_node.html?cms_jobid=2020-413.

Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via email.


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