PhD Student (f/m/d) for experimental research on the microbiologically influenced corrosion of potential container materials for the storage of high-level radioactive material in a bentonite environment – 2026/112 Part-time

PhD Student For Experimental Research

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute for Resource Ecology (IRE) conducts applied basic research into the protection of people and the environment from the effects of pollutants resulting from technical processes of energy and raw material extraction. An important goal is a better understanding of fundamental processes that influence the transport and the accumulation of radiotoxic elements in the geo- and biosphere including the food chain. This also includes research on microbial activity in potential repositories for highly radioactive waste.

The Group Deep Biosphere is looking for a PhD Student for experimental research on the microbiologically influenced corrosion of potential container materials for the final storage of high-level radioactive material in a bentonite environment, subject to project approval.

Microbial activity is one of the many factors that influence the corrosion of container materials used for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Different microorganisms, but especially sulphate-reducing bacteria are present in clay rock as well as in the barrier material bentonite and can through the formation of corrosive metabolites (e.g. H2S) contribute to the corrosion of the container material. The underlying mechanisms of microbiologically influenced corrosion and their respective contributions in a bentonite environment are still not well understood.

Your Tasks

• Conducting and evaluating corrosion experiments as batch experiments under anoxic conditions in the presence of bentonite and various container materials
• Investigation of the relationship between microbial activity and microbially influenced corrosion at different bentonite dry densities in a diffusion cell under anoxic conditions
• Determination of corrosion rates and corrosion mechanisms using spectroscopic and microscopic methods
• Conducting literature review, writing scientific publications, and presenting research results
• Mentoring student courses

Your Profile

• Very good university degree (Master/Diploma) in the field of Natural sciences, preferably in the fields of Chemistry, Biology or Earth Sciences
• Experience in experimental laboratory work, high motivation and initiative
• Willingness to work with open radioactive materials in a radiation-controlled laboratory is required
• Excellent knowledge of a broad range of microbiological, chemical and analytical methods are an advantage
• Ability to communicate and carry out work in an interdisciplinary research team (radiochemistry, biochemistry, geochemistry, physical chemistry) and willingness to participate in scientific conferences and workshops
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Our Offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• Depending on the personal qualifications, the candidate may be classified in salary group 13 according to TVöD-Bund
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the “Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket”

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, contact details of two references, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.