Master Thesis - Advanced electrolytes for sodium-based battery applications

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Münster; Vor Ort; EUR 10.044 - 13.392; Teilzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Meaningful Tasks

Practical Relevance

Scientific Environment

Personal Responsibility

Team onboarding and collaboration

Work‑life balance

Fair remuneration

Zusammenfassung

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH in Münster invites a Master thesis candidate to join the SIB:DE FORSCHUNG project. You will help develop liquid electrolytes for sodium‑ion batteries as a strategy in the European energy transition, collaborating with an international team and taking on independent research tasks.

The role focuses on electrolyte design, detailed testing, and data visualization, with opportunities to contribute to publications and presentations in a highly collaborative environment

Qualifikationen

• Master’s student in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or a related field.
• Very good command of written and spoken English (B2) is required; German is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Identify novel electrolyte components and compositions for sodium-based battery electrolytes.
• Physicochemical, electrochemical and analytical characterization of liquid electrolytes.
• Investigate influence of electrolyte on cell performance under varying conditions.
• Document and present results in structured presentations.

Kenntnisse

English proficiency (B2)

Interest in battery research

Willingness to learn electrochemical方法

Ausbildung

Master’s studies in Chemistry/Physics/Materials Science

Jobbeschreibung

Master Thesis - Advanced electrolytes for sodium-based battery applications

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. We focus 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 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 is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of German is an advantage.

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and offer you the chance to actively help shape the change! We support you in your work with:

• 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. We give you structured training for your tasks and an easy start with our welcome days and guide
• Work‑life balance: We offer flexible working hours and the option of location flexibility after consultation
• 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.

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: 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.