PhD student (m/f/d) for Synthesis and Characterization of Redox-Active Polymers at HIPOLE Jena

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB); Berlin; Presencial; EUR 47.000 - 60.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

International environment

Climate-neutral research

Networking opportunities

Graduate program

Flexible working time

30 days paid leave

Health management

Pension scheme

Deutschlandticket/Jobticket subsidy

Descripción de la vacante

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB) invites applications for a PhD student position in Synthesis and Characterization of Redox-Active Polymers, affiliated with TRR234 CataLight. Based in Jena, the project focuses on creating redox-active polymers and coupling them with photocatalytic units to study solar-chemical transduction.

The role requires a master’s degree in chemistry or related fields, strong expertise in organic/polymer synthesis and polymer analysis, and

Formación

• Master’s degree in chemistry or a comparable field.
• Extensive experience in organic chemistry and/or polymer chemistry.
• Experience in organic synthesis and ideally polymer synthesis.
• Experience with analytical methods for polymer characterization.
• Very good knowledge of electrochemistry and, ideally, photocatalysis.
• Very good written and spoken English skills.

Responsabilidades

• Synthesis of redox-active monomers and polymers.
• Characterization of redox-active polymers (from structural characterization to electrochemical properties).
• Coupling of redox-active polymers with photocatalytic units.
• Investigation of photocatalytic reactions in collaboration with CataLight (e.g., hydrogen evolution or alcohol oxidation).
• Summary, presentation, and publication of results in English.

Descripción del empleo

PhD student (m/f/d) for Synthesis and Characterization of Redox-Active Polymers at HIPOLE Jena

Reference no.: HI 2026/11

Achieving climate-neutrality within the next 20 years necessitates an innovation boost for the development of highly efficient, scalable, low-cost, and sustainably produced energy technologies. Polymer materials play a central role in this process. Energy storage and conversion materials, particularly sustainable batteries, play a central role in this context.

We are seeking a PhD student (m/f/d) to join our institute in Jena starting 01.01.2027. You have the opportunity to support a young institute with your ideas and expertise, and you will collaborate with researchers from around the world to contribute to the development of a climate-friendly future. The position is affiliated with the Collaborative Research Center TRR234 CataLight and will be based in the research group of Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert. CataLight investigates the controlled integration of molecular, light-driven catalytic units into hierarchically structured soft-matter matrix systems to convert solar energy into chemical reactivity.

• Synthesis of redox-active monomers and polymers
• Characterization of redox-active polymers (from structural characterization to electrochemical properties)
• Coupling of redox-active polymers with photocatalytic units
• Investigation of photocatalytic reactions in collaboration with CataLight (e.g., hydrogen evolution or alcohol oxidation)
• Summary, presentation, and publication of the results in English

Your Profile

• A successful master’s degree in chemistry or a comparable field of study
• Extensive and proven experience in organic chemistry and/or polymer chemistry
• Experience in organic synthesis and, ideally, in polymer synthesis
• Experience with analytical methods for polymer characterization
• Very good knowledge of electrochemistry and, ideally, photocatalysis
• Very good written and spoken English skills

• A successful master’s degree in chemistry or a comparable field of study
• Extensive and proven experience in organic chemistry and/or polymer chemistry
• Experience in organic synthesis and, ideally, in polymer synthesis
• Experience with analytical methods for polymer characterization
• Very good knowledge of electrochemistry and, ideally, photocatalysis
• Very good written and spoken English skills

You demonstrate a high level of commitment, initiative, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to familiarize yourself with diverse areas of responsibility. You are characterized by your teamwork skills, reliability, independence, and communication abilities (including proficiency in English).

Your Benefits at HZB

• International/diversity-sensitive working environment at a Helmholtz Institute
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of novel materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future together with top international researchers
• Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual support and assistance programmes
• Participation in the integrated graduate program of the CataLight Collaborative Research Center
• Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexible working hours, the possibility to work remotely
• 30 days paid leave
• Health management, company pension scheme (VBL), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket/Jobticket
• Payment in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund)

Fixed term contract for 36 months.The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people withdifferent backgrounds. It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce.We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women.Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.

Climate change poses serious challenges to the whole world.At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), we are researching materials for a climate-neutral future.1,400 employees from all over the world work together to achieve this goal at the site in Berlin.