PhD Position – Multi-Scale Tomographic Analysis of Porous Catalysts for Hydrogen Applications

Would you like to contribute to the energy transition in Germany through your work? Then the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (for Renewable Energy) (HI ERN) is the right place for you! The HI ERN forms the core of the close partnership between Forschungs­zentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy, and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg at the Erlangen site. The collaboration relates to the areas of innovative materials and processes for photovoltaic energy systems and hydrogen as a storage and carrier medium for CO2-neutral energy. Support us researching and developing solutions for the climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies. For more information on HI ERN and its main research areas, please visit https://www.hi-ern.de.

We are offering a

PhD Position – Multi-Scale Tomographic Analysis of Porous Catalysts for Hydrogen Applications

Your Job:

Your ideas and work support the department Electrocatalytic Interface Engineering, headed by Prof. Simon Thiele, in the team Composite Membrane Analysis and Design, headed by Dr. Thomas Böhm. The department focuses on the production, analysis, and simulation of functionally optimal structures in electrochemical systems from the nanometer scale to the micrometer scale with a focus on tomographic analyses of porous materials. Your tasks in detail:

• Development of a multi-modal tomographic approach to fully reconstruct porous catalysts on multiple scales from millimeter to nanometer
• Simulation of transport parameters in the digital models of the catalysts
• Validation of the results with experimental data of the catalysts, followed by a targeted digital optimization of the catalysts’ 3D structure to improve their conversion rates

Your Profile:

• Excellent master’s degree in physics, engineering, or a similar discipline
• Strong interest in pursuing research in 3D electron imaging (FIB-SEM), X-ray tomography, image processing, and simulation
• Experience in one (or more) of the following areas is desirable: electron microscopy, computed tomography, image processing, simulation
• High motivation for pursuing a PhD within three years
• You enjoy interdisciplinary work with mutual support from different fields
• Excellent skills in spoken and written English

We are looking for scientists who are a perfect fit for us: Expertise, team spirit, perceptiveness, and a harmonious atmosphere are an inseparable combination for us.

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 characterization techniques
• A lively scientific environment within the institute, cooperation with excellent partners at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, and options to collaborate with research partners at the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, and abroad
• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for further personal and professional development
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
• Flexible work arrangements with the option of remote work
• 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 three years. Pay will be 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.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible via our Online Recruitment System!

Questions about the Offer?

Get in touch with us by using our contact form. Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via e-mail