Postdoctoral Research Associate (m/f/d) physics, chemistry, materials science, or engineering

To strengthen our team in the division “Materials Informatics” in Berlin-Adlershof, starting as soon as possible, we are looking for a

Postdoctoral Research Associate (m/f/d) in the field of physics, chemistry, materials science, or engineering

Salary group 14 TVöD
Permanent contract
Full-time/suitable as part-time employment

The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a materials research organization in Germany. Our mission is to ensure safety in technology and chemistry. We perform research and testing in materials science, materials engineering and chemistry to improve the safety of products and processes. At BAM we do research that matters. Our work covers a broad array of topics in the focus areas of energy, infrastructure, environment, materials, and analytical sciences.

The division Material Informatics is integrated into the digital materials science initiative of BAM and focuses on computer-assisted material design and testing on the atomic, meso and nanoscale. The work with state-of-the-art simulation methods is carried out in close collaboration with experimental groups at BAM with the aim of solving application and research-relevant challenges in materials science and gaining a comprehensive understanding of materials under real conditions.

We are looking for talented people to join us.

Your responsibilities include:

Based on atomistic methods, fundamental analyses of the role of light elements for the safety of materials and in new energy technologies will be obtained. One focus will be on hydrogen and its interaction with defects in order to control and optimise the resulting embrittlement mechanisms as well as the mechanisms of hydrogen storage systems. However, the multiscale methods required for this are also to be transferred to other materials and technologically relevant processes. The following tasks are planned:

• Initiation and realisation of research and development in the field of hydrogen embrittlement and storage
• Development of atomic-based multiscale simulations for the energetics and kinetics of interstitial atoms in materials
• Computer simulations of failure mechanisms including cracking and corrosion
• Development of interatomic potentials with ab initio accuracy
• Advancement of simulation environments for data-driven material design
• Conceptualising topics for young scientists and supervising them as part of their research activities
• Providing impetus for and acquiring third-party funded research projects
• Shaping participation in national and international collaborative projects and digitisation initiatives such as NFDI‑MatWerk

Your qualifications:

• Successful scientific university degree (Master’s degree/​Diploma) specialised in physics, chemistry, materials science or engineering and a very good PhD
• Extensive knowledge in the field of ab initio and atomistic simulations of materials science and engineering
• Experience with the simulation of complex materials under real conditions (e.g., finite temperatures, mechanical stress, corrosive environments)
• Proven expertise in scientific work at the interface of experiment and theory
• Numerous publications in the above-mentioned fields in highly cited journals
• Experience with programming languages or workflow environments
• Experience with the generation or optimisation of interatomic potentials
• Several years of experience in the supervision of junior researchers
• Experience in the acquisition and management of R&D projects and corresponding scientific project management
• Very good verbal and written communication skills
• Good communication and information behaviour, initiative/​commitment and ability to make decisions, ability to work in a team and willingness to cooperate as well as flexibility

We offer:

• Interdisciplinary research at the interface of politics, economics and society
• Work in national and international networks with universities, research institutes and industrial companies
• Outstanding facilities and infrastructure
• Flexible working hours and mobile working

Your application:

We welcome applications via the online application form  by 17.03.2024. Alternatively, you can also send your application by post, quoting the reference number 14/24-6.4 to:

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und ‑prüfung
Referat Z.3 – Personal
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
GERMANY
www.bam.de

Dr. Hickel will be glad to answer any specific questions you may have. Please get in touch via the telephone number +49 30 8104‑1640  and/or by email to [email protected] .

BAM promotes professional equality between women and men. We therefore particularly welcome applications from women. At the same time, we strive to reflect social diversity. Every application is therefore welcome, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or sexual identity.

In addition, BAM has set itself the goal of promoting the professional participation of people with severe disabilities. The fulfillment of the job requirements is considered on an individual basis. Severely disabled persons or persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

The advertised position requires a low level of physical aptitude.

BAM actively supports the compatibility of work and family and has been certified as a family- and life-phase-conscious employer by the "audit berufundfamilie" since 2015.