Tasso Springer Fellowship – PhD Position in Neutron Research Full-time

Tasso Springer Fellowship – PhD Position in Neutron Research

Are you interested in performing exciting research with neutrons and working together with scientists from all over the world? The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) develops and operates high-performance neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide. Our main outstation is located at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich, where we operate 11 instruments in a user program and for our own research in the fields of “Neutron Scattering and Soft Matter (JCNS-1)”, “Quantum Materials and Collective Phenomena (JCNS-2)” and “Neutron Analytics for Energy Research (JCNS-3)”. JCNS invites applications for the Tasso Springer Fellowship Program, named after the outstanding neutron scientist who in his career was bridging neutron research in Jülich to Garching and Grenoble. The PhD fellowships aim at educating the next generation of researchers in neutron scattering. The successful candidates will be jointly supervised by scientists based at the outstation in Garching and at the JCNS institutes in Jülich and Aachen. The place of employment will be Aachen.

Your Job

In the present call we are offering one remaining Tasso Springer PhD fellowship. The PhD project will focus on the following topic, related to the core focus of our JCNS institutes. The project will be realized in close cooperation between the JCNS at the Heinz-Maier Leibnitz Center in Garching and the JCNS institutes in Jülich and Aachen. The place of employment will be Aachen:

• Project 6: Dynamics of water and ligand molecules on nanoparticle surfaces via neutron spectroscopy (JCNS-3)

The project involves hands-on participation in experiments at large-scale facilities, laboratory-based characterization techniques, requiring visualizing, analysis and interpretation of experimental data. The research results shall be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at conferences.

Your Profile

• Master's degree in solid state physics, chemistry, crystallography, material science or a related subject
• Experience in X-ray or neutron scattering methods
• Experience in research related to the focus area of the project of your choice
• Experience with analysis of scientific data
• Scientific programming skills, e.g. Python, Matlab are an additional asset
• You have an independent and responsible way of working, creativity, commitment, high degree of teamwork, as well as enjoyment of cooperative collaboration
• You have a very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to the CEFR )

Our Benefits for You

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:

• Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
• Visit of International Conferences & Networking Opportunities: You will have the chance to participate in national and international conferences and have the opportunity to increase your scientific network through participation in workshops and schools
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• 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 qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. 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. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 66 ff. of the PDF download)
• Fixed-Term: The position is limited to 3 years

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: and on specific support options: