Jülich: Master Thesis in Physics, Chemistry or Materials Science - Atomically-tailored water splitting catalysts for hydrogen technologies

Oxide electronics are a major opportunity for future information technologies and a sustainable energy economy. In the group for `Oxide interface electronics & mesoscopic energy materials` at Peter Grünberg Institute - Electronic Materials (PGI-7), we are exploring the fundamental properties of nanoscaled oxides that can lead to novel electronic devices and fundamentally new functionalities. Oxide epitaxy enables to control materials properties on the nanoscale, which we apply to tailor electrocatalysts for enhanced performances. It is our vision, that atomic scale engineering of these oxides will lead to new breakthroughs in IT and energy technologies.

Your Job:

• Create atomically defined catalyst layers, based on state-of-the-art thin film technologies.
• Demonstrate tailored activity and stability for perovskite-based oxide catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a major bottleneck in current electrolysis processes, and explore stabilization strategies based on protective layers.
• Study the electronic structure of the hybrid catalysts and correlate designed structure parameters to electrochemical performance.
• Perform active research on the materials synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical benchmarking.
• Receive individual trainings to learn state-of-the-art lab methodology, comprising pulsed laser deposition (PLD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), advanced X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemistry.
• Additionally, synchrotron-experience may be gained throughout the project.

For deeper insights, please have a look at our institute website: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/pgi/pgi-7 and the research group in which this position is located: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/pgi/pgi-7/research-groups-1/ag-gunkel-1

Your Profile:

• Completed qualification to enroll for the Master thesis in Physics, Chemistry, or Materials Sciences, with a good track record
• Willingness to familiarise yourself with new methods or new scientific challenges
• Interest in issues about novel energy technologies, materials engineering and electrochemistry.
• Previous knowledge in materials synthesis, thin film characterization, or electrical characterization in desirable
• Fluent knowledge of written and spoken English
• High degree of motivation and reliability and analytical working style
• Excellent ability to cooperate and work in a 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 support you in your work with:

• MEANINGFUL TASKS: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• FLEXIBILITY: Flexible working hours make it easier for you to balance work and study
• PERSPECTIVE: If you have the appropriate qualifications and funding is available, the institute offers the opportunity to do your PhD after completing your master`s thesis
• FAIR REMUNERATION: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis
• FIXED-TERM: The position is limited to 6 – 12 months
  
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

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.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey