PhD Position - Membrane Electrode Assembly System for CO2 Reduction with Anion Exchange Membrane

Your Job:

The electrocatalytic interface engineering department led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Thiele focuses on manufacturing, analysis, and simulation of functional materials to find an optimum structure on small scales from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. The investigated materials and systems play an essential role in sustainable technologies like water- and CO2-electrolyzers, as well as in fuel cells. Further information about the HI ERN and its research focus can be found on https://www.hi-ern.de ! Your tasks regarding the built-up and design of an efficient flow reactor for CO2 electrolysis in detail:

• Bringing a test station into operation
  
• Manufacturing of catalyst layers using suitable catalysts onto gas diffusion layers and porous transport layers for zero-gap CO2 electrolyzers with anion exchange membrane
  
• Developing an efficient composite membrane based on ion-conducting polymers
  
• Physical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of membrane electrode assemblies before, during, and after operation
  
• Participation in project meetings
  
• Coordination with internal and external partners
  
• Publication and presentation of research results in relevant journals or international conferences

Your Profile:

• Excellent master’s degree in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline
  
• Strong interest in pursuing research on electrochemical systems
  
• Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is desirable: electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, additive manufacturing (spray coating, doctor blade, slot-die coating), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and materials characterizations
  
• High motivation for pursuing a PhD within 3 years
  
• 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 offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• You will work in an inspiring environment that invites you to conduct high-quality research and successfully implement your own ideas
  
• As part of a globally competitive institute, we offer you the best conditions to shape your career in a meaningful way and take it to the next level
  
• You will benefit from excellent training in catalysis and reaction engineering to further expand your portfolio
  
• In our open scientific environment, you will have the best opportunities for cooperation with first-class partners at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and in international collaborations
  
• The development of our employees` potential is important to us
  
• Individual further training measures are therefore a matter of course for us
  
• Our family-conscious corporate policy and extensive offers to promote the compatibility of work and family life ensure that you can organize your professional and private life in the best possible way ( https://go.fzj.de/VereinbarkeitvonBerufundFamilie )
  
• Attractive flexitime arrangements
  
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. in a home office on 1-2 days a week
  
• 30 days of vacation and an arrangement for bridging days off (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: 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.