Postdoc - automated high-throughput screening of electrolyte adduces for aqueous batteries

Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH; Geesthacht; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art labs

International network

Conference funding

Flexible work options

Public transport subsidy

Childcare facilities

Job summary

Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to advance aqueous battery technology through automated high-throughput workflows for electrolyte formulation and screening. The role emphasizes electrochemical testing, data-driven analyses, and close collaboration with industrial partners to enable robust, scalable energy storage solutions.

The position is full-time (39 h/week), fixed-term for 18 months starting February 2027, with opportunities to present at international

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering or related field.
• Strong background in electrochemistry and aqueous battery technologies.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and experimental research focus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize automated high-throughput workflows for preparation and electrochemical screening of aqueous electrolyte formulations.
• Systematically screen electrolyte additives and generate datasets linking composition to performance.
• Perform electrochemical characterization using galvanostatic cycling, cyclic voltammetry, and EIS.
• Analyze large experimental datasets and contribute to ML and QSAR model development.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences; write project reports.
• Collaborate with researchers, data scientists, and industrial partners on synthesis, modelling, and scale-up.

Skills

Electrochemistry expertise

Automated experimentation

Data analysis

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Materials Science/Electrochemistry/Chemical/Energy Engineering

Tools

EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)

Cyclic voltammetry

Galvanostatic cycling

Job description

The postdoctoral candidate will work within an international research project focused on improving the performance and long-term stability of aqueous batteries through the development of advanced electrolyte additives.

The central objective of the project is to establish an integrated high-throughput workflow combining robotic electrolyte preparation, automated electrochemical testing, and machine-learning-assisted analysis.

The work involves extensive experimental laboratory activities, automated testing, electrochemical characterization, data analysis, and close cooperation with industrial project partners. The candidate will contribute to the development of reproducible and data-driven battery research workflows for sustainable, safe, and cost-effective stationary energy-storage technologies.

The position is full-time (39 h/week) and fixed-term for 18 months, starting in February 2027.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

Your tasks

• Develop and optimize automated high-throughput workflows for the preparation and electrochemical screening of aqueous electrolyte formulations.
• Systematically screen a broad range of electrolyte additives and generate high-quality datasets linking electrolyte composition to battery performance.
• Perform electrochemical characterization using techniques such as galvanostatic cycling, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Analyze large experimental datasets and contribute to the development and validation of machine-learning and quantitative structure-property relationship models.
• Publish your results in leading peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences, write project reports.
• Collaborate closely with researchers, data scientists, and industrial partners working on electrolyte synthesis, battery development, modelling, and scale-up.

Your profile

Recruitment requirement

• A PhD in the subject areas of Materials science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or similar.

Required knowledge and personal skills

• Strong background in electrochemistry and aqueous battery technologies.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and interest in experimental research.
• Experience with electrochemical measurements and data analysis.
• Interest in automated experimentation and data-driven materials research.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Knowledge of techniques such as EIS, cyclic voltammetry, hydrogen evolution, and electrode degradation.
• Very good English language skills (at least B2/C1 level according to CEFR).

Desired knowledge and personal skills

• Experience with aqueous batteries, metal-anode batteries, or electrolyte development.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques, such as microscopy, X-ray methods.
• Experience with automated experimentation, robotics, data science, or machine learning is advantageous.

Our offer

• Access to state-of-the-art (robotic) labs, unique scientific and technical infrastructure
• Access to a large international research and industrial network.
• Funding for conferences, summer schools and courses needed or research stays
• An exciting job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• International Welcome Office with guest accommodation
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to EG 13 (accordingEntgO Bund)
• very good work-life balance; options for mobile and flexible work
• A green campus on the Elbe River, well-connected with Hamburg (public transport), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket), charging facilities for electric vehicles
• family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. nursery/kindergarten close to the company
• Operational Health Management, e.g. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.