Team leader – operando characterization of catalytic interfaces for hydrogen storage Full-time

Team Leader – Operando Characterization Of Catalytic Interfaces For Hydrogen Storage

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

• Scientific and technical leadership of a team focused on operando characterization of catalytic interfaces for hydrogen storage (team: “Dynamic non-equilibrium processes”)
• Development and application of advanced X-Ray techniques
• Investigation of structure-function relationships in hydrogen storage catalysts
• Studies of catalyst activation and degradation, e.g., for ammonia synthesis and cracking
• Development and improvement of data analysis code
• Combinatorial analysis of data from complementary measurement techniques
• Development of scientific research questions in the field of heterogeneous catalysis
• Close cooperation with other institutes at Forschungszentrum Jülich and collaboration with external research groups
• Publication and presentation of results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences
• Coordination and participation in synchrotron beamtime experiments
• Supervision of research staff, doctoral candidates, students, and technical personnel
• Acquisition and management of research projects
• Support in establishing and developing the institute

Your Profile

• Master's degree and PhD in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering, computer science, or a related discipline
• Extensive knowledge of X-Ray science
• Deep understanding of X-Ray spectroscopy techniques, in particular NEXAFS and NAP-XPS
• Proven experience in data analysis
• Experience in ultrafast science
• Extensive experience with synchrotron measurements
• Experience with X-Ray free-electron laser measurements
• Strong programming skills, ideally in Python
• Experience in the field of energy storage
• Experience in ammonia synthesis and cracking
• Experience in supervising scientific staff, doctoral candidates, or students
• Independent, goal-oriented, and strategic working style
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently, combined with excellent team-work skills
• Strong willingness to explore new scientific topics and quickly familiarize yourself with them
• Excellent social and communication skills for leading and collaborating in interdisciplinary teams
• Willingness to take on responsibility and develop independent research ideas
• Fluency in written and spoken English

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 responsible tasks at the interface between science, administration, business, and politics
• 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 13-14 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 your basic salary, you will receive an annual bonus and capital-forming benefits
• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 2 years with possible long-term prospects
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

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: To the next possible date Working Hours: 39 hours / week Salary: Pay grade 13-14 of the TVöD-Bund Application Deadline: 2026-05-04