Postdoc – Thermochemical Operando Synchrotron XAS and AI-Enhanced Reactor Engineering for Advanced LOHC (De)hydrogenation Catalysts (within the SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program) Full-time

Postdoc – Thermochemical Operando Synchrotron XAS and AI-Enhanced Reactor Engineering for Advanced LOHC (De)hydrogenation Catalysts

The SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program is a prestigious international postdoctoral research program between Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). The two-year program offers the opportunity to conduct research at both institutions, starting with a one-year employment at FZJ, followed by a second year at Seoul National University in Seoul under a separate one-year employment at SNU (or vice versa).

This position is joint between FZJ's institute division “Catalytic Materials for Chemical Hydrogen Storage” (IHE-2), led by Prof. Dr. Regina Palkovits and Prof. Sangwook Park from SNU.

The goal of this research topic is to understand dynamic active-site transformations and kinetic degradation mechanisms in liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems by combining custom operando XAS reactor design, precision catalyst synthesis, and AI-driven data analysis.

Your Job

• LOHC Catalyst Synthesis & System Optimization: Synthesize and characterize novel, low-precious-metal catalysts tailored for efficient LOHC hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes, leveraging Dr. Regina Palkovits's pioneering approaches in sustainable chemical hydrogen storage
• Operando XAS Reactor Engineering: Design and construct specialized thermochemical flow reactor systems optimized for synchrotron in situ / in operando XAS measurements under realistic temperature, pressure, and dynamic fluid conditions
• Multimodal Ex/In Situ Characterization: Correlate local electronic and atomic structure evolution (via operando XAS) with macro-scale catalyst performance, using comprehensive ex situ X-ray and electron microscopy techniques to identify deactivation and restructuring pathways at the catalyst–LOHC interface
• AI-Driven Data Analytics & Computer Vision: Integrate AI models for automated processing and feature extraction of high-throughput synchrotron XAS spectra and experimental microscopic images, accelerating the discovery of structure–property–activity descriptors for high-durability LOHC catalysts

Your Profile

• Master's degree with PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related disciplines
• Experience in energy science
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR)
• Very independent and self-motivated way of working but also excellent teamwork skills
• High motivation to take on responsibility and develop your own research ideas
• Willingness for regular business trips

Our Benefits for You

• Meaningful tasks: The position offers a varied and diverse role in an international environment
• Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
• Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
• Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive occupational health management program with a wide range of offerings – e.g., a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes, and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counseling team are available to assist you on site
• Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 74 of the PDF download
• Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits
• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 1 year followed by a second year at Seoul National University in Seoul under a separate one-year employment at SNU
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more.

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 for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey. International applicants can find more information here: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-internationals

Place of Employment: Brainergy Park Jülich Start Date: To the next possible date Working Hours: 39 Hours / Week Salary: Pay group 13 TVöD-Bund Application Deadline: 2026-12-22 Index number: 2026T-0844