Technician - Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Formic Acid

Your Job:

To achieve sustainability in industry, it is necessary to mitigate CO2 emissions or temporarily balance the input-output flows until a viable transition to environmentally friendly sources of energy can be realized. In IEK-9, we contribute to this goal by developing electrochemical processes to convert greenhouse CO2 into industrial-value products such as formic acid. Therefore, we strive to design electrochemical processes for this endeavor and build up an understanding of the partaking reactions. Specifically, our team is interested in studying the effect of different heterogeneous catalysts (based on Sn or Bi), membranes, ionomers, electrodes, and electrolyzer setups in the frame of the electrochemical CO2-to-HCOOH reduction.
Provide technical support to our team in:

• Connection and installation of test stations
  
• Assembly and operation of electrolyzers
  
• Planning and execution of experimental test runs in coordination with the scientific staff
  
• Analytical characterization of the products by gas and ion chromatography
  
• Evaluation and interpretation of results
  
• Construction of electrodes and synthesis of ionomers
  
• Calibration of instrumentation and preparation of calibration standards
  
• Ordering of material and chemicals
  
• Presentation and discussion of results in internal meetings

Your Profile:

• State-certified technician with experience in electrochemistry, technical chemistry, process engineering, or chemical synthesis
  
• Specifically, knowledge in the area of electrolysis and heterogeneous catalysis
  
• Knowledge of analytical characterization techniques (e.g., gas chromatography, ion chromatography, IR, Raman, X-Ray)
  
• Chemical synthesis experience (e.g. inorganic or organic) is an advantage
  
• A good level of German and the ability to work and communicate (in English) with an international team
  
• Independence, commitment, and willingness to take on responsibility
  

Applications are welcome even if they do not fulfill all the knowledge and experience stated before.

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:

• Flexible working hours in a full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work
  
• A wide range of scientific tasks covering instrumentation, sample preparation, and structure determination
  
• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
  
• Extensive company health management
  
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere in Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is for a fixed term of 2 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them.

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.