PhD Position - Operando X-ray Characterization of Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage

Forschungszentrum Jülich; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 48.000 - 62.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Team & Environment

Networking & Exchange

Supervision & Support

Work-life balance

Annual Leave 30 days

Knowledge & Development

Welcome days & guide

Fair remuneration

Zusammenfassung

Forschungszentrum Jülich invites applications for a PhD position titled “Operando X-ray Characterization of Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage” in the IHE division. You will investigate dynamic catalytic interfaces, develop in situ/operando spectroscopic methods, and advance understanding of hydrogen storage catalysts at synchrotron facilities.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong interest in catalysis, and willingness to work at large-scale light

Qualifikationen

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, materials science, or related field.
• Strong interest in heterogeneous catalysis, surface/interface science and hydrogen chemistry.
• Willingness to travel and work at light source facilities, including non-standard hours.
• Excellent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or higher) with good communication within an international team.
• German language knowledge is appreciated but not mandatory.

Aufgaben

• Plan and conduct research on catalytic conversion of chemical hydrogen carriers under supervision.
• Develop and apply in situ and operando X-ray spectroscopy methods.
• Contribute to development of ex situ/in situ/operando cells and sample environments.
• Participate in synchrotron measurement campaigns and XFEL experiments where applicable.
• Analyze data and build data-analysis workflows, including Python scripting.
• Correlate spectroscopic data with catalytic performance and other characterization methods.
• Prepare beamtime proposals and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.

Kenntnisse

Heterogeneous catalysis

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Willingness to travel

Good communication

English proficiency (B2)

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in chemistry/physics/chemical engineering/materials science

Tools

X-ray spectroscopy

Operando characterization

Python scripting

Synchrotron experiments

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 20 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:PhD Position - Operando X-ray Characterization of Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage

The Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (IHE) develops the scientific foundations and technologies needed to store, transport, and use renewable hydrogen safely and efficiently. Within IHE, the division Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage (IHE-1) investigates elementary reaction and degradation processes at catalytically active interfaces, from the atomic to the mesoscale.

The team “Dynamic non-equilibrium processes” focuses on dynamic processes that take place out of equilibrium conditions. In particular, we are interested in resolving the molecular reaction mechanisms (under near-reaction conditions). This involves recording “molecular movies”, in which experimentally atomically resolved motion pictures of the reactions are recorded, including the structural and chemical identification of the intermediate states and transition states.

Your Job

Operando and time-resolved investigation of small-molecule hydrogen-carrier conversion, with an initial emphasis on ammonia decomposition and formic-acid decomposition. The scientific objective is to resolve active‑site formation, interface processes, reaction intermediates, structural evolution, deactivation, and regeneration, and to translate this understanding into rational design principles for high-performance and durable catalysts.

• Plan and conduct research on the catalytic conversion of chemical hydrogen carriers, with scientific guidance from the supervisory team.
• Apply and further develop in situ and operando X-ray spectroscopy approaches for probing the bulk, surface and interface regions under reaction conditions, depending on the scientific question.
• Contribute to the development and operation of ex situ/in situ/operando reaction cells and sample environments.
• Participate in synchrotron measurement campaigns and, where scientifically appropriate, experiments at XFEL facilities.
• Analyze experimental data and develop or adapt data-analysis workflows, including scripting in Python or comparable tools.
• Combine spectroscopic information with catalytic performance data and, where useful, complementary methods such as microscopy, X-ray scattering/reflection, vibrational spectroscopy, or modelling.
• Prepare beamtime proposals, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, and present the work at domestic & international scientific events.
• Work closely with colleagues across IHE, Forschungszentrum Jülich, partner universities, and large-scale light source facilities.

Your Profile

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related discipline (essential).
• Strong interest in heterogeneous catalysis, surface/interface science, hydrogen chemistry, and advanced characterization methods (essential).
• A strong motivation to learn in situ/operando X-ray methods and willingness to carry out experiments at light source facilities that may involve travel and non-standard working hours (essential).
• Good communication and teamwork skills in an interdisciplinary and international research environment (essential).
• 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 the German language is not mandatory but certainly appreciated.

• Research experience in at least one relevant area, for example inorganic/materials chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, surface science, reaction engineering, or spectroscopy (desirable).
• Practical experience with X-ray spectroscopy, operando characterization, catalytic testing, or synchrotron experiments (desirable).
• Basic experience in scientific data analysis and programming (desirable).

Our Benefits for You

• Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
• 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
• 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 74 of the PDF download).

• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 3 years
• 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:

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.

**Start Date:**To the next possible date

Application Deadline: 2026-10-20

Index number: 2026D-0770

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.