PhD position – Electrolyte components for sodium-based battery applications

Your Job:

In this position you are responsible for the identification, comprehensive characterization and development of advanced electrolyte components and resulting electrolyte formulations for sodium-based battery applications

Your tasks in detail:

• You are involved in the identification and development of novel electrolyte components (conducting salts, solvents/co-solvents and functional additives) for nonaqueous aprotic sodium-based battery electrolytes
• You determine the physicochemical (e.g., water content, viscosity, etc.) and thermal (TGA, DSC) properties of nonaqueous aprotic electrolyte formulations
• You characterize properties and behavior of nonaqueous aprotic liquid electrolyte formulations in sodium-based cells by means of various electrochemical (EIS, LSV, CV, galvanostatic cycling, dissolution tests, plating-stripping experiments), analytical (MS, GC-MS, ICP-OES) and spectroscopic (NMR, FT IR, Raman, UV-VIS) methods
• You investigate the interfaces between electrolyte and electrodes and their influence on the overall performance and safety of sodium-based batteries and their chemistry
• You cooperate with partners from theory to optimize charge transport at the electrolyte/ electrode interface
• You take participance in regular project meetings with the involved partners from industry and research

Your Profile:

• Completed academic studies (Masters) in chemistry or materials science or a comparable field of study
• Background knowledge and proven interest in the field of electrochemistry
• Fluent in spoken and written German as well as English
• Willingness to get familiar with different analytical methods
• Strong cooperation and communication skills required for internal and external project partners, including business trips
• Structured and independent way of working
• Ability to work together in an international and interdisciplinary team

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 scientific development opportunities at the Helmholtz Institute Münster as well as cooperation opportunities with our other research locations in Aachen and Jülich
• Opportunity for a part-time doctorate at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Münster upon fulfillment of the requirements
• Chance of participating in (international) conferences and project meetings as part of your work
• Opportunity to gather industry-relevant knowledge about the complete manufacturing process of batteries as part of their scientific work – from the synthesis to the characterization of the assembled batteries
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• 30 days of annual leave and an attractive regulation for bridging days
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The employment of doctoral researchers at Jülich is governed by a doctoral contract, which usually has a term of three years. Pay is above average in line with 65% 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“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

Place of employment: Münster

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.