PhD Position - Development of an automated layer fabrication tool for catalyst layers

Your Job:

• Design and optimization of an automated setup for the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (catalysts and protective coatings)
  
• Design, build 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 data scientists and automation specialists to develop a reliable, fast, component testing process

Your Profile:

• Very good masters degree in process, electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering or a related discipline
  
• Strong interest in pursuing research on electrochemical systems coating processes and research on micromechanic systems and robotics
  
• Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is desirable: automation, robotics, prototyping, CAD, coating technologies
  
• Experience in Programming, especially Python, microcontroller and API coding
  
• Intrinsic motivation to show initiative, creativity, and to work independently
  
• Very good cooperation and communication skills and ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
  
• Very good organizational skills
  
• High motivation for pursuing a PhD within 3 years
  
• 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
  
• 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
  
• Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work
  
• 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: Erlangen

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.