Postdoc (f/m/d) in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Related discipline

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) investigates and develops materials for a sustainable energy supply of the future. For this purpose, we operate the synchrotron facility BESSY II as well as several core labs for investigating materials. BESSY II attracts users from all over the world with its unique experimental facilities. With approx. 1,200 employees, HZB is today one of the largest non-university research centres in Berlin. More information: www.helmholtz-berlin.de

Reference no.: CE 2022/17

Subject to funding, we are looking for you as a postdoctoral researcher for the three-dimensional characterisation of catalyst materials using various tomographic methods (synchrotron/X-ray tomography, FIB/SEM tomography). You will create 3D images of the material structures and analyse them in detail. The aim is to better understand the functioning of the catalyst materials to develop optimisation strategies together with our industry partners. You will work in an interdisciplinary and international team in the group for imaging techniques at the Institute for Applied Materials, which deals with a wide range of highly topical issues in energy research.

The aviation sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. Therefore, the CARE-O-SENE project focuses on the optimization of catalysts to enable highly efficient and sustainable fuel production. CARE-O-SENE’s goal is to advance the science-based development of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalysts. This planned project will enable the highly efficient and sustainable production of green aviation fuels, which are essential to transforming the aviation sector.

Through CARE-O-SENE, key German and South African companies and research institutes are building new, long-term strategic partnerships. In this planned lighthouse project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), all project partners contribute their expertise in the development, testing, and commercialization of catalysts. CARE-O-SENE is jointly driven by seven partners: Sasol Ltd, Sasol Germany GmbH, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), University of Cape Town – Department of Chemical Engineering (UCT), and INERATEC GmbH.

Your Tasks

• You investigate the 3D structure of catalyst materials to produce green fuel using synchrotron/X-ray tomography and FIB/SEM imaging.
• You study the 3D analysis/evaluation with specialised 3D software and use machine learning tools such as neural networks.
• You analyse the 3D morphology quantitatively to understand how the 3D structure is related to the properties of the materials (3D structure-property relationship).

Your Profile

• Doctoral degree in physics, chemistry, applied materials science, or comparable
• Very good knowledge of physical measurement techniques
• Expertise in 3D measurement and imaging techniques very advantageous
• Good scientific publication performance
• Ability to independently work on a scientific problem while interacting with many collaborating groups
• Very good command of English
• Experience with the presentation of scientific content

Your benefits at HZB

• Work in one of the renowned non-university research institutions in Berlin
• Research for a climate-friendly future in collaboration with notable partners from a wide range of industrial sectors and academic fields
• Chance to visit and work with the South African project partners
• Career guidance, specific training offers, and networking with peers provided by the Graduate Center and Postdoc Office
• Work-life balance
• Flexible work hours with flexitime
• 39-hour week
• 30 days paid leave
• Comprehensive counselling services for family and career
• Health management and company sports programmes
• Financial support for public transport (Jobticket)
• Continuing education opportunities
• Subject to funding, salary based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service TVöD

Fixed term contract for 32 months. The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

How to apply

Please send us your cover letter, CV and contact details of at least two references.

We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 28.08.2022. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by email or by mail in the application process.

We strive to increase the proportion of female employees and are therefore particularly pleased to receive applications from women. Disabled applicants with equal aptitude are given preference.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin
www.helmholtz-berlin.de

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Dr. rer. nat. Ingo Manke
+49 30 8062-42682
manke@helmholtz-berlin.de