Postdoctoral Researcher – X-ray Optics and Beamline Development Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher – X-ray Optics and Beamline Development

Would you like to actively shape the structural change in the Rhenish mining area together with us? With us you have the chance to join the Institute for a sustainable Hydrogen Economy (IHE) with your ideas right from the start. Together with the H2 demonstration region, the IHE forms the “Helmholtz Cluster for sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy” (HC-H2). Here, scientific foundations are laid in the field of innovative hydrogen technologies in order to advance research and development approaches with high sustainability potential and attractive economic prospects. At the institute division “Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage” (IHE-1), led by Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Steinrück, we investigate mechanisms and processes in (electro)chemical energy storage systems. For the purposes, we develop and use advanced (X-ray-based) methods.

Your Job

• Lead the conceptual design, simulation, and implementation of a unique high-energy X-ray beamline for long-term operando investigations of energy materials
• Develop and optimize advanced X-ray optical concepts with emphasis on maximizing photon flux, transmission, stability, beam quality, and experimental flexibility
• Design next-generation beam-conditioning concepts, including grazing-incidence mirrors, multilayers, monochromators, slits, and adaptive focusing optics
• Perform ray-tracing and numerical simulations of beam transport, including beam propagation, divergence, coherence, footprint, transmission, and resolution
• Develop innovative optical solutions enabling variable beam size, focus position, and illumination conditions for diverse experimental requirements
• Design, evaluate, and optimize multilayer optics and grazing-incidence mirror systems for high-energy laboratory X-ray sources
• Integrate optics, source, detectors, sample environments, and motion systems into a fully functional experimental platform
• Lead the alignment, commissioning, characterization, and performance optimization of the beamline and its optical components
• Develop and implement advanced high-energy X-ray scattering and imaging methods
• Coordinate and execute experiments at the in-house beamline and at international synchrotron facilities
• Collaborate closely with internal groups and external partners, particularly at DESY, ESRF, and other large-scale research infrastructures
• Present research at international conferences and publish results in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to the acquisition of third-party funding and the development of future beamline concepts
• Support the establishment and strategic development of the INW Long-Term Characterization X-ray Laboratory

Your Profile

• Ph.D. in Physics (preferred), Optics, Photonics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related discipline
• Strong background in X-ray optics, synchrotron instrumentation, or beamline development
• Demonstrated experience in optics, wave propagation, scattering, electromagnetism, or photon science
• Excellent knowledge of X-ray optical systems, including grazing-incidence mirrors, multilayers, diffraction optics, beam transport, and focusing optics
• Experience with ray-tracing and optical simulation tools (e.g. SHADOW, OASYS, XOP, SRW, COMSOL, Zemax, or comparable software)
• Experience with scientific programming (preferably Python)
• Good understanding of synchrotron radiation and high-brilliance X-ray sources
• Experience in beamline commissioning, alignment, or experimental instrumentation is highly desirable
• Experience with detector systems, motion systems, and experimental hardware is advantageous
• Knowledge of catalysis, energy materials, or hydrogen technologies is beneficial but not required
• Independent and creative scientific working style combined with excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Strong motivation to contribute to the development of a new internationally visible research infrastructure
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level
• Willingness to travel regularly to international large-scale research facilities

Our Benefits for You

We work on highly topical, socially relevant issues and offer you the opportunity to actively shape change! You can expect a wide range of opportunities:

• 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 69 ff. 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%, as well as capital-forming benefits
• Perspective: The position is initially for a fixed term of 2 years but with the prospect of longer-term employment
• 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: 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

Place of Employment: Brainergy Park Jülich Start Date: as soon as possible Working Hours: 39 Hours / Week Salary: Pay Group 13 of TVöD-Bund Application Deadline: 2026-08-23