Postdoc - Atomically Precise Metal Cluster Catalysts for Efficient and Durable LOHC Dehydrogenation (within the SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program)

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 52.000 - 68.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Meaningful tasks

Vacation 30 days

Flexible hours

Career development

Health program

International support

Zusammenfassung

Forschungszentrum Jülich, part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to advance atomically precise metal cluster catalysts for LOHC dehydrogenation. The two-year SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program enables research at FZJ and Seoul National University, with an initial one-year employment at FZJ followed by a year at SNU.

You will lead synthesis of Pt clusters and alloys, probe nuclearity effects, study catalyst stability, and scale promising materials

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree with PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related disciplines.
• Experience in energy science.
• Very good command of written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or higher).
• Independent and team-oriented work style with strong motivation.

Aufgaben

• Synthesize size- and composition-controlled Pt clusters and Pt-based alloys on tailored supports.
• Evaluate how cluster nuclearity and supports influence dehydrogenation activity.
• Study long-term stability and sintering via in situ electron microscopy.
• Translate catalysts into shaped bodies and coatings while preserving nanoscale structure on scale-up.

Kenntnisse

Postdoc experience

Energy science

English proficiency

Teamwork

Ausbildung

PhD in physics/chemistry/materials

Tools

Electron microscopy

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 22 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (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:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:Postdoc - Atomically Precise Metal Cluster Catalysts for Efficient and Durable LOHC Dehydrogenation (within the SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program)

The SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program is a prestigious international postdoctoral research program between Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). The two-year program offers the opportunity to conduct research at both institutions, starting with a one-year employment at FZJ, followed by a second year at Seoul National University in Seoul under a separate one-year employment at SNU (or vice versa).

This position is joint between FZJ’s institute division "Catalytic Materials for Chemical Hydrogen Storage" (IHE-2), led by Prof. Dr. Regina Palkovits and Prof. Jungwon Park from SNU.

The goal of this research topic is to design supported cluster and alloy catalysts with controlled nuclearity and metal–support interfaces that achieve high low-temperature activity, high H₂ selectivity, and long-term stability in LOHC dehydrogenation.

Your Job

• Synthesize size- and composition-controlled Pt clusters and Pt-based alloys on tailored oxide, carbon, and BN supports
• Determine how cluster nuclearity, alloying, and support acidity govern dehydrogenation activity and suppress C–C cleavage and coking for representative LOHCs (e.g., H18-DBT, H12-BT, methylcyclohexane, and butanediol)
• Evaluate stability under dynamic and long-term operation, tracking sintering and regeneration by in situ electron microscopy
• Translate the most promising catalysts into shaped bodies and coatings while preserving their nanoscale structure upon scale-up

Your Profile

• Master's degree with PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related disciplines
• Experience in energy science
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR
• Very independent and self-motivated way of working but also excellent teamwork skills
• High motivation to take on responsibility and develop your own research ideas
• Willingness for regular business trips

Our Benefits for You

• Meaningful tasks: The position offers a varied and diverse role in an international environment
• 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 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on theBMI website

. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 74 of the PDF download

• Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. 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
• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 1 year followed by a second year at Seoul National University in Seoul under a separate one-year employment at SNU
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities

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: 2026-12-22

Index number: 2026T-0841

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.