Location

Campus Duisburg

Application area

Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Technical Chemistry III

Post Doctoral Position at universities (f/m/d, No. 352-24)
Payment according to Grade 13 TV-L

Start of employment

01.09.2024

Duration of employment

31.10.2026 (until end of project)

Working time

39 hours 50 min. (100 %)

Your main tasks

In the new research profile "Natural Water to Hydrogen" the research fields of "water research" and "hydrogen" are being brought together at the UDE. 14 research groups of the UDE and 22 associated partners from academia and industry are working together to increase the sustainability of hydrogen production through anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. For the first time, a fundamental understanding is to be gained of how water quality, electrodes and membranes influence each other. Using organic and inorganic lead substances, it will be quantified how or to what extent water needs to be purified before and during electrolysis.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our project to perform and understand lab-scale AEM electrolysis experiments using different water qualities. In addition, we are aiming at a fundamental understanding of stability and degradation mechanisms in the presence of different water components and of processes taking place at the electrode. To achieve this, operando ATR-FTIR studies will be conducted for model catalysts. Experiments will be done in collaboration with members from the project team in a well-defined experimental work program.

Responsibilities:

• Planning and execution of lab-scale AEM electrolysis experiments using model electrodes and model membranes. Analysis of the electrochemical activity of electrodes after prolonged electrolysis using different water compositions as well as the electrocatalytic activity of catalyst materials exposed to harsh conditions.
• Planning and execution of operando ATR-FTIR experiments using selected catalysts /electrodes. Establish a measuring protocol for operando ATR-FTIR studies to extract the vibrational response of near-surface electrolytes, reactants and products under steady-state operando conditions.
• Coordinate the experiments of your assigned work packages, including the management of resources, schedules and the organisation of the interfaces with other work packages.
• Cooperation with team members of “Natural Water to Hydrogen” and cooperation partners from academia and industry
• Documentation of research results, analyzing and interpreting results, and communicating findings to the research team.
• Prepare reports and publish high-quality research papers in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Involvement in an international and interdisciplinary summer school, workshops and conferences as well as outreach activities.
• As part of the activity, the opportunity for further academic qualification is offered.

Your profile

• PhD in the field of electrocatalysis, electrochemistry, engineering, technical chemistry, or a related discipline with a specialization related to water electrolysis
• Committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers
• Good knowledge across multiple of these areas: electrolysis, electrochemistry, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
• Experience with experimental data collection, analysis, and interpretation, experience in data management and application of FAIR principles
• Professional communication skills in oral and written English.

We offer you

• a varied, multifaceted field of activity in a research-intensive environment
• an interesting, responsible job with great creative potential, where you will get to know the diverse tasks and developments of research transfer and have contacts with almost all areas of the UDE
• Interdisciplinary research at a very high level
• a non-discriminatory working environment with respectful, appreciative cooperation
• a pleasant working atmosphere in a dynamic team
• a broad range of further education and training opportunities, individual mentoring

Application deadline

2024-07-11

Code number

352-24

Application

Please send your application with the usual documents, stating the reference number 352-24, to Prof. Corina Andronescu, University of Duisburg- Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, 45117 Essen, E-Mail corina.andronescu@uni-due.de.

Information about the job

Information about the faculty and the position to be advertised can be found at

https://www.uni-due.de/tech3chem/

www.uni-due.de

The University of Duisburg- Essen aims to promote the diversity of its members

(s. http://www.uni-due.de/diversity)

It aims to increase the proportion of women among scientific staff and therefore strongly encourages

applications from women with relevant qualifications.

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women are given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.