PhD Position – Automation of a High Throughput Setup for Electrochemical Systems

Your Job:

As part of the international ERC Synergy project DEMI (Directed Evolution of Metastable Electrocatalyst Interfaces for Energy Conversion), two PhD positions (m/f/d) are to be filled as soon as possible. Besides the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen Nuremberg (HI ERN), the following research institutions are involved in DEMI: University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany) and University of Bern (Switzerland). The researchers at the four locations will work together intensively to make decisive progress in electrocatalysis for the energy systems of the future. Hydrogen, for example, is seen as the energy source of the future. To produce it, reactions must be catalysed, some of which take place under extreme conditions. Current electrocatalysts usually cannot withstand this for long - new materials are needed that are powerful and durable, and ideally do not contain any expensive and scarce elements. DEMI is pursuing a new and innovative approach here. At DEMI, new high-entropy alloys are calculated in Copenhagen. The team at HI ERN focuses on the electrochemical high-throughput characterization of material libraries. The focus of the Bochum team is on the production and high-throughput characterization of thin-film material libraries. The partner in Bern carries out experimental electrochemistry. The available PhD position mostly focuses on the following topics:

• Optimization of a high throughput setup for manufacturing and characterization of electrocatalyst systems
  
• Design, build-up and validation of the setup in collaboration with other PhD students
  
• Benchmarking state-of-the-art materials and components as a baseline for the developed system
  
• Study of next-generation materials for electrolysis
  
• Close collaboration with electrochemists, data scientists and automation experts to develop and use a reliable, fast, electrochemical testing process

Your Profile:

• Excellent master degree in process, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering or a related discipline
  
• Strong interest in pursuing research on electrochemical systems with a hands-on mentality
  
• Strong background with one of the following fields: Object-oriented Programming for applied systems, robotics, (lab) automation
  
• Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is desirable: electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, rheology, coating technologies, data management and databases, prototyping
  
• Intrinsic motivation to show initiative, creativity, and to work independently
  
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills and ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
  
• Very good 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 offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Excellent environment to perform high-quality research and to implement own ideas in the development process
  
• Work with worldwide-unique electrochemical characterization techniques
  
• Excellent training in automated lab systems and electrochemistry
  
• 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 our international project partners
  
• Extensive further education opportunities
  
• Support options for combining career and family
  
• Flexible working hours
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75 % of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“).

Place of employment: Nuremberg

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.