Master Thesis - Advanced electrolytes for sodium-based battery applications

Forschungszentrum Jülich; Jülich; Vor Ort; EUR 30.000 - 45.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working hours

Supportive team environment

Valuable practical experience

Zusammenfassung

Forschungszentrum Jülich invites applications for a thesis position focused on developing liquid electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries. This project is part of SIB:DE FORSCHUNG, aimed at supporting the European energy transition.

Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree in Chemistry or related fields and a keen interest in battery technology. Responsibilities include identifying electrolyte components and analyzing cell performance. Flexible working conditions and fair remuneration are offered.

Qualifikationen

• Master’s studies in a relevant field.
• Interest in the research area of battery development.
• Willingness to learn electrochemical methods.

Aufgaben

• Identify novel electrolyte components for sodium-ion batteries.
• Characterize liquid electrolyte classes using various methods.
• Investigate electrolyte influence on cell performance.
• Document and visualize results in presentations.

Kenntnisse

Interest in battery development

Independence

Very good command of English (B2)

Ausbildung

Master’s studies in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science

Jobbeschreibung

Batteries move us and our world - they start our cars, keep the hands of our watches running and ensure that we can take pictures with our smartphones everywhere. At the Helmholtz Institute Münster Ion Conductors for Energy Storage (IMD-4 / HI MS), we are researching novel electrolyte formulations for new and advanced battery concepts. The focus is on electrolyte research and development as a key area for future battery concepts. Major research activities comprise the design, synthesis, characterization and processing of more sophisticated battery electrolytes and chemistries. We are located at the Münster branch of the Jülich Research Centre and are operated in close cooperation with the University of Münster and the RWTH Aachen University. This enables us to pool our expertise in battery research and substantially advance this important future field of electrolyte research.

Your Job

Join the SIB:DE FORSCHUNG (Sodium‑Ion‑Battery Germany Research) project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and actively contribute to the development of liquid electrolytes for sodium‑ion batteries (NIBs) as a strategic alternative to lithium‑ion technology, supporting the European energy and mobility transition.

Your tasks in detail

• Identification of novel electrolyte components (conductive salts, solvents/co solvents and functional additives) and their optimal compositions for the development of advanced non‑aqueous aprotic sodium‑based battery electrolytes
• Physicochemical, electrochemical and analytical characterization of various liquid electrolyte classes by selected complementary methods on electrolyte and lab cell level
• Investigation of the influence of the electrolyte on the overall cell performance under varying conditions
• Documenting and visualizing the achieved results in presentations

Your Profile

• Master’s studies in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a similar field
• Interest in the research area of battery development
• Willingness to become familiar with various electrochemical methods
• Prior knowledge in electrochemistry is desirable
• High degree of independence, motivation, and reliability
• Language Skills: Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary, at least B2 level according to the CEFR

The candidate should ideally have a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of German is an advantage.

Our Benefits for You

• Meaningful Tasks: Your thesis deals with a future‑oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• Practical Relevance: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• Scientific Environment: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• Personal Responsibility: You organize your tasks independently—from preparation to implementation
• Onboarding & Teamwork: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. 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
• Work‑life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on‑site) appointments
• Fair remuneration: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis

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.

https://go.fzj.de/equality

and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

Place of Employment: Münster

Start Date: To the next possible date

Salary: Appropriate remuneration is provided for the thesis.

Application Deadline: The position is advertised until it is successfully filled.